Adam Ferguson

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Eric Carbajal and the Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy team showed no signs of slowing down in four goal shutout win over Southwest Division rivals Chivas USA U-18 on Saturday afternoon at the Grande Sports World.

Carbajal extended his team high in goals scored to eleven with a first half brace, while Te Wihongi and Adam Ferguson scored in the second half. RSL U-18 has won all five matches played in 2014, and is undefeated in their last six matches.

• Click here for a photo gallery from the match

The Claret-and-Cobalt opened up their goal tally in the 18th-minute on a calmly converted penalty kick from Carbajal, which was earned by Sam Gleadle after he was taken down in the box from behind. Gleadle had a hand in RSL’s second goal four minutes later when his shot from a Jose Hernandez cross was deflected out by the Chivas goalkeeper. Carbajal acted quickly, recovered the loose ball and tapped in his seventh goal in four matches played.

Dillon Nino, Justen Glad and Moises Rodriguez provided some key stops near the end of the first half and a big 1v1 save by Luis Barraza in the 40th-minute held Chivas USA scoreless going into the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Wihongi scored RSL’s third goal when he redirected a Rodriguez cross from the right-wing into an empty net.

At the hour mark, Chivas USA went down a man after a player was shown a straight red on a dangerous challenge near the halfway line. With the man advantage, RSL brought on Gui Leme, who abused the Chivas defense with his pace. Leme would have added to RSL’s lead if it was not for the inspired play by the Goats goalkeeper, who made back-to-back saves from close range in the 71st-minute.

Leme continued to push the attack and assisted on RSL’s fourth goal when he played a ball to the top of the box from the left-wing. Ferguson took a touch and fired a low shot into the left-side netting for his first career academy goal.

Shots in the closing minutes by Leme and Grant Livingston were saved, but as RSL’s pushed for a fifth goal they were exposed defensively. The Goats countered in the 89th-minute and another big stop by Barraza on a 1v1 gave preserved RSL’s fourth shutout in seven matches at home.

RSL will travel to California next week to play Santa Cruz Breakers Academy on Saturday and San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.

 

-Real Salt Lake Academy Match Report-

RSL – Eric Carbajal – 18th minute

RSL – Eric Carbajal – 24th minute

RSL – Te Wihongi (assist: Moises Rodriguez) – 51st minute

RSL – Adam Ferguson (assist: Gui Leme) – 78th minute

Real Salt Lake: Luis Barraza, Moises Rodriguez, Dillon Nino, Te Wihongi (Grant Livingston – 68), Jack Gayton, Jose Hernandez, Damian German (Pato Yrizar – 58), Corey Baird (Gui Leme – 58), Eric Carbajal (Adam Ferguson – 70), Sam Gleadle (Luis Lopez – 58)