SARASOTA, Fla. – The Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy team wrapped up the 2013 calendar year with a, 1-1, draw against MLS Academy side D.C. United on Saturday morning in the third and final match at the 2013 Winter Showcase.
Photo Gallery: Real Salt Lake U-18 vs. D.C. United U-18
In three matches at the Showcase the Claret-and-Cobalt captured two out of nine possible points with draws against D.C. United, Shattuck Saint-Mary’s and a loss against New York Red Bulls. Through ten league matches this season, the RSL U-18 has won six, outscored opponents 23-7 and enters the winter break with the top spot in the Southwest Division.
Playing with a shorthanded roster on Saturday morning, RSL jumped out to an early lead in the 13th-minute when Moises Rodriguez whipped a cross into the box. In just his second Academy start, Pato Yrizar outjumped the D.C. United defense and knocked in his first career Academy goal.
D.C. pushed for the equalizer and would have had it if not for the inspired play by goalkeeper Chase Bishov, who made three goal saving stops midway through the first half. He stonewalled D.C.’s best chance in the 28th-minute when a shot bounced off the post and was picked up by an unmarked D.C. player in the box. Bishov charged the threat and made himself big, which allowed him to deflect the ball out for a corner.
Moments before the halftime break, a key stop by Erik Holt inside the box led to a Corey Baird interception moments later in the midfield. He played a killer pass to Sam Gleadle, who attack the D.C. defense with urgency. As he approached the box, he appeared to be fouled, but a heads up play by Matthias Binder kept the play alive, which resulted in a shot that was saved by the D.C. goalkeeper.
Once play resumed, stout defense by Te Wihongi at right back eliminated a handful of D.C. attacks and allowed RSL to push higher up the field, which created numerous chances for RSL, who failed to double their lead.
In the 67th-minute, D.C. equalized when a low cross from the left-wing found a unmarked forward, who calmly finished the shot far post. RSL pushed numbers forward, but faltered in the final third, as key passes were missed and ill-advised shots were taken time after time.
RSL’s final chance came in the 89th-minute when Brooks Lennon attacked space just inside the box. His shot just missed and D.C. burned the remaining minutes of play.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake U-18 1 0 1
D.C. United U-18 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Pato Yrizar (assist: Moises Rodriguez) – 13′
D.C. – 67′
Staring Lineup
Real Salt Lake: Chase Bishov, Moises Rodriguez, Santi Carrillo, Erik Holt, Te Wihongi, Luis Lopez, Jose Hernandez, Pato Yrizar ((Luke Novick, 55′) Ishan Atit, 72′)) , Matthias Binder (Brooks Lennon, 46′), Sam Gleadle, Eric Carbajal (Corey Baird, 31′)