Jean Pierro Bello

In a weekend that pitted Real Salt Lake-Arizona’s soccer academy against one of the best academies in the country, the Los Angeles Galaxy, there was a feast of goals as RSl-AZ’s Under 18 academy scored seven goals in 3-1 and 4-1 victories. RSL-AZ Under 16 academy lost 3-0 and tied 2-2.

U-18 Game Recaps:

The Galaxy has one of the stingiest defenses in the country giving up only five goals in nine league games and 12 goals overall in 18 games played. Real Salt Lake-Arizona led by Maikon Orrellana and Jean Pierre Bello, scored seven goals against the Galaxy in two games.

In the first game of the weekend, LA Galaxy took the lead on a goal by Jose Villarreal in the 31st minute. Ten minutes later the game was even as Orrellana, on a great feed from Ricardo Velasco, drove the ball home.

RSL-AZ continued to attack as the Galaxy defense wilted in the heat. Orrellana was again the scorer, notching his second, after a great individual run from the United States U-18 International player, Jordan Allen. Allen, who was tormenting the Galaxy defense with his exploits down the left flank, finished the scoring in the 66th minute with a superb goal.

In the U-18’s second game of the weekend, Real Salt Lake-AZ continued its attack. The LA Galaxy held firm throughout the first half, but they could not stop the eventual goal rush. Seven minutes into the second half, Bello went in on goal all alone and was upended by the Galaxy goalkeeper. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Bello stepped up to hammer the ball past the goalie and into the net.

Barely 10 minutes later, Real Salt Lake-Arizona went two up. Carlos Salcedo on a tremendous individual effort, pushed forward from his defensive position, to challenge the Galaxy goalkeeper. Again the keeper pulled down the Real Salt Lake-Arizona player and the referee once again indicated a penalty kick. Bello stepped up and put the goalkeeper the wrong way with his well-placed spot kick. Bello completed his hat trick in the 75th minute giving his team a three goal cushion.

LA Galaxy showed their quality, not willing to go home with their tails between their legs and they continued to push forward. In the 87th minute they were rewarded. Pedro Lugo, redirecting a free-kick from the left wing, pulled one back for the Los Angeles academy, but it was not enough as RSL-AZ continued to attack.

RSL-AZ was stung by the loss of the shutout and turned up the heat. Etiandro Tavares finished off the scoring with a fine individual effort in the 90th minute giving Real Salt Lake – Arizona the three points and all six points available on the weekend.

U-16 Game Recaps:

RSL-AZ’s U-16 squad started their first game of the weekend in good form, tied 0-0 at half time despite having several good chances. RSL-AZ became undone in the second half as central midfielder, Luis Chavez, was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle. Down a man, it was only a matter of time before the LA Galaxy would press home their advantage.

Within two minutes after the sending off, Galaxy was awarded a penalty kick. Rolando Munoz stepped up and finished his chance. Galaxy continued to possess the ball taking full advantage of their extra player. Two quick Galaxy goals from Josue Espana and Justin Dhillon in the 64th and 69th minutes, respectively finished of the game and gave Galaxy the three precious away points.

The U-16’s second game of the weekend started off similar to the first, but this time RSL-AZ took their chances and went two goals up at halftime. Trevor Hyman scored the first with a well-placed shot into the back of the net. Benji Lopez then hit an unstoppable shot from all of 30 yards that the Galaxy goalkeeper did not see until it hit the net behind him.

The second half was another story as Real Salt Lake-Arizona faltered in the heat. In a seven minute spell, RSL-AZ gave up two goals. Despite pressing forward and taking the game to the Galaxy, Real Salt Lake-Arizona could not capitalize on their possessions and the Los Angeles team hit them on the break, Juan Reyna scoring the Galaxy’s first goal.

LA then got the equalizer as the RSL-AZ defense dropped off, leaving the opposition’s midfielders open and with no pressure on the ball. Danil Slepukhin hit a long drive over the outstretched hands of RSL-AZ goalkeeper Cesar Cobos for the tying goal and a share of the spoils.

Real Salt Lake-AZ’s soccer academies continue their season at the Grande Sports World on Sunday, May 6 versus The Seattle Sounders.

Grande Sports Academy Soccer News – Real Salt Lake – Arizona soccer academy’s adventure began with leaving 82 degree weather and bright sunshine on a comfortable motor coach ride to the cold and rain of Southern California. This weekends weather was a determining factor over the two days of soccer matches and had to be moved to turf due to the rain. Despite torrential rain and high winds both teams managed to play some nice soccer.

Jordan Allen - Real Salt Lake - Arizona soccer academy - Class of 2013 — Jordan Allen - Class of 2013 - Real Salt Lake -AZ

Real Salt Lake – Arizona’s U18 team started the weekend strong with a 3-0 win versus Strikers FC. Jordan Allen opened the scoring with a with a great run cutting in from the left flank before hitting an unstoppable shot into the goal. Ive Burnett got the second score with a shot from just inside the box on a nice feed from Maikon Orellana. Allen wrapped up the scoring with his second of the match, driving into the attacking third before slotting the ball past the Striker’s goalkeeper.

Real Salt Lake – Arizona’s U16 team continued the winning ways as Benji Lopez hit a superb free-kick beyond the outstretched arms of the Striker’s keeper. Jose Navarro put the team two up with a penalty kick after winger Andrew Brody was pulled down in the box. Real Salt Lake – Arizona continued to press, as the rain poured down, but could not add to their tally and came away with a 2-0 win to finish out the day.

Sunday’s games, against Pateadores, were not as kind to the Real Salt Lake – Arizona teams. The U18’s started well and took a quick 1-0 lead thanks to a nice combination between Jean Pierre Bello and Maikon Orellana. Casey Arick profited from the build up with a hard low drive that eluded the opposing goalie.

While the rain had eased off on Sunday, the wind was brutally strong and making the going difficult for the teams. Two minutes into the second half Pareadores tied the game up with a goal that was aided by the conditions as the Real Salt Lake – Arizona defense could not clear the ball as it skipped into the six yard box giving the hosts a 1-1 draw.

The U16 team started the game on fire, despite the cold, wintery weather. Jordan Allen opened the scoring with a beautiful free kick, bending the ball around the defensive wall and into the back of the net. Allen, now playing for the younger squad, showed his class as he drove into the Pateadores 18 yard box before driving the ball home for a two goal lead.

Real Salt Lake – Arizona second start was much slower than the first, as the Pateadores got a goal back after only a minute into the half. The Southern California team, playing their first game of the weekend, made it an even game after seven minutes and eventually went on to score two more goals as the Real Salt Lake – Arizona team looked battled after two games of a weekend of difficult weather conditions for the desert team. Pateadores won the match 4 – 2.

Jordan Allen who has verbally committed to attend the University of Virginia, came away from the weekend with four goals, two for the U18’s and two for the U16’s.

Real Salt Lake – Arizona U18’s and U16’s teams continue their season versus Chivas USA, on Saturday, March 31st at Pasadena High School in California.

Clash of the Top USSDA Soccer Academies Game Recap

U-18 Game Recaps:

U-16 Game Recaps:

RSL-AZ Splits Weekend of Matches in the Cold, Wind and Rain