CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy team extended their unbeaten streak to seven following their six goal shutout over division foes Pateadores on Saturday morning.
Photo Gallery: RSL U-18 vs. Pateadores U-18
The Claret-and-Cobalt were led by captain Jose Hernandez whose two goal and two assist performance cut up a stingy Pateadores defense that was averaging less than a goal allowed per match. Eric Carbajal doubled his season total to four with a second half brace while Damian German notched his first goal and Corey Baird scored his third on the season.
RSL leads the Southwest Division and is one of six U-18 teams in the nation to remain unbeaten in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play. The U-18s and will face three of the unbeaten teams within the next six months.
It took RSL just seven minutes before they cracked the Pateadores defense. Making his return to the starting XI after a two match absence, Carbajal played a ball up to Hernandez on the left side of the 18. Hernandez then cut a defender to his right and placed a perfect shot into the far post.
Hernandez scored his second just moments later when a cross from the right side took a dive in the box. Hernandez ran up and smashed the ball into the upper 90.
Carbajal and Hernandez connected again in the 56th-minute when Hernandez sliced through the Pateadores defense and laid the ball off to Carbajal for an easy tap in. Baird put the match out of reach when he intercepted a poor clearance from the Pateadores goalkeeper and chipped the ‘keeper from 30 out.
Hernandez wrapped up his man of the match performance on an excellent turn from a throw in in the 80th-minute, which allowed him to attack space. As he approached the Pateadores box a defender ran out to challenge Hernandez, who laid off another pass to an unmarked Carbajal for his second goal.
German scored the final goal 4 minutes later on a Te Wihongi cross.
The victory was RSL’s final match at home this year and before their next home match on January 18th against Crossfire Premier, the Claret-and-Cobalt will travel to Sarasota, Florida for the Winter Academy Showcase from December 9-15.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy 2 4 6
Pateadores 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Jose Hernandez (assist: Eric Carbajal) – 7′
RSL – Jose Hernandez – 9′
RSL – Eric Carbajal (assist: Jose Hernandez) – 56′
RSL – Corey Baird – 67′
RSL – Eric Carbajal (assist: Jose Hernandez) – 80′
RSL – Damian German (assist: Te Wihongi) – 84′
Real Salt Lake: Luis Barraza, Damian German, Santi Carrillo, Erik Holt, Te Wihongi (Nate Deaton, 85′), Jack Gayton, Eric Carbajal (Matthias Binder, 75′), Jose Hernandez, Corey Baird (Luis Lopez, 70′), Niki Jackson (Adam Ferguson, 79′), Pato Yrizar (Sam Gleadle, 66′)