Jose Hernanez

Weekend Soccer Preview: Real Salt Lake Academy gears up for first match of 2014

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-16 and U-18 Academy teams will be looking to extend their combined eight match undefeated streak at home against Northwest Division foe Crossfire Premier on Saturday in the first match of 2014.

The RSL U-18 Academy, ranked #2 by Top Drawer Soccer, is the Southwest Division leader (6-1-3). Through ten matches, the RSL U-18 team has conceded a U-18 USSDA league best seven goals. Jose Hernandez leads the team in scoring with five goals. Corey Baird and Eric Carbajal have each scored four goals.

Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer held a January camp and U-20 MNT head coach Tab Ramos called in one RSL U-18 Academy player: Corey Baird.

Before the winter break, the RSL U-18 team traveled to Florida to participate in the 2013 winter showcase. In the first match, the U-18s played Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy to a scoreless draw and were defeated 2-1 by the New York Red Bulls in the second match. The U-18s bounced back and drew D.C. United 1-1 in the third and final match.

The RSL U-16 team, ranked #3 by Top Drawer Soccer, is the Southwest Division leader (8-1-1) and went into the winter break riding a seven match unbeaten streak. Through ten matches, the RSL U-16 team has conceded just four goals – tied with NYRB for a U-16 USSDA league best – and has earned seven clean sheets. The RSL U-16s average 3.6 goals per match and are led by Sebastian Saucedo, who has scored eight goals. Josh Doughty and Tate Schmitt have each scored five goals. Goalkeeper Christian Herrera has earned seven clean sheets.

Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer held a January camp and U-18 MNT head coach Javier Perez called in three RSL U-16 Academy players: Justen Glad, Saucedo and Herrera.

Before the winter break, the RSL U-16 team traveled to Florida to participate in the 2013 winter showcase. In the first match, the U-16s defeated Chicago Magic PSG 6-1 and played the Chicago Fire to a scoreless draw in the second match. In the third and final match, a Saucedo goal from the halfway line gave the RSL U-16 team a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.

The U-18 match is set to kickoff at 10:00am and will be followed by the U-16 match at 12:30pm.

RSL Academy coaches have scheduled a friendly against local club SC del Sol that will be played after the Academy matches.

Date	Time	Team		Team	Location
Jan. 18	10:00 AM	RSL U-18 Academy	VS	Crossfire Premier	GSA
Jan. 18	12:30 PM	RSL U-16 Academy	VS	Crossfire Premier	GSA
Jan. 18	4:00 PM	RSL Mix-Squad	VS	SC del Sol	GSA

Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy play San Diego Surf to 1-1 draw

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake U-18 team saw their five match winning streak come to an end when the San Diego Surf scored a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw on Saturday morning at the Grande Sports Academy. The draw has also ended the Claret-and-Cobalt’s perfect point streak, as this is the first match RSL has dropped points in.

Photo Gallery: Real Salt Lake vs. Surf

Playing with 10-men for over 70 minutes, due to a straight red card shown to Moises Rodriguez on a tough tackle, RSL were able to capture the lead moments before the halftime break when Niki Jackson broke through the Surf defense on the left side. As he dribbled into the box two Surf defenders left the middle of the box open as they ran over to cut off Jackson. He looked up and chipped a ball over the defenders to a streaking Jose Hernandez who finished with a header.

RSL continued to push the effort in the second half and had multiple opportunities in the final third, but just couldn’t find the right combination that would lead to a second goal. As they pushed the goal seemed to be further and further away, which gave the Surf enough confidence to counter in the 76th-minute and finish a cross-and-volley. The Surf’s confidence hit a high match, which almost propelled to three-points if it was not for goalkeeper Chase Bishov, who ran out and batted a cross down and smothered the ball while diving head first into traffic. Second-half substitute Sam Gleadle had RSL’s final chance when he made a diagonal run to the right-wing. He caught up to the ball and fired a shot for the back post that clipped a Surf’s defenders leg and casually rolled to the goalkeeper for an easy save.

Through six matches the RSL U-18 team is undefeated and leads the Southwest Division with sixteen points.

The opening minutes of the first half went in RSL’s favor as Corey Baird, Brooks Lennon and Jackson abused the Surf defense down the right flank. However, in the 17th-minute RSL played a corner into the box. It was cleared and bounced into empty space. A Surf player sprinted for the ball as got a touch just moments before Rodriguez slide in. Rodriguez clipped the Surf player and was shown a straight red for the challenge.

RSL’s response to playing down a man was almost perfect. Corey Baird became a one-man wrecking crew in the midfield. Jack Gayton provided service from the back and center-back paring, Santi Carrillo and Erik Holt, won everything in the air. The positive play paid off when Jackson and Hernandez connected.

The second half was a mirror image of the first. RSL’s defense was strong and the attack was always with purpose. The best chance to RSL came in the 71st-minute when Damian German dribbled and cut hit was through the Surf defense. He created space for himself on top of the 18 and fired for the back post, but unfortunately pushed the ball a tad too far.

It was a tough result for RSL, who are one of six teams in the nation to remain unbeaten.

Goals by Period 1 2 F

Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy 1 0 1

Surf 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

RSL – Jose Hernandez (assist: Niki Jackson) – 44′

RSL – Surf – 76′

Lineup:

Real Salt Lake: Chase Bishov, Te Wihongi, Santi Carrillo, Erik Holt, Moises Rodriguez, Jack Gayton, Jose Hernandez (Pato Yrizar, 68′), Brooks Lennon (Sam Gleadle, 75′), Corey Baird (Matthias Binder, 85′), Niki Jackson (Eric Carbajal, 68′), Damian German.

RSL U16 & U18 Academy Standings Update – May, 1st (Moving On Up!)

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News

Once per week we will take a look at the current standings for our Real Salt Lake U18 and U16 Academy teams in the Southwest Division.

RSL U18 Academy Overview – U18’s have done well in 2013, going 8-1-1. This past weekend they defeated Real So Cal 4-1. Seniors Jose “Bean” Vasquez and Eric Gonzalez have just signed with universities. That makes it 19 players to sign thus far.

Last Game – U18 Academy team got even with Real So Cal defeating them, 4-0, on Sunday. When these teams played each other on March 9th, Real So Cal defeated RSL, 3-0. Goals in this past weekend’s game were scored by: Trevor Hyman assisted by Jose Hernandez, Amer Sasivarevic assisted by Coco Navarro, Andrew Brody assisted by Coco Navarro, Jose Hernandez assisted by Andrew Brody.

Right Now –RSL is W17-L3-D4 on the season and is the leader in the Southwest Division. RSL has accumulated 55 points and is averaging 2.29 ppg. LA Galaxy have played one fewer game, 4 points behind, and are averaging 2.22 ppg. Real So Cal is in third place, 6 points behind, and is averaging 2.04 ppg.

Up Next – U18’s have a huge weekend in front of them as they travel to Los Angeles. On Saturday then take on 5th place Chivas USA and on Sunday they take on 2nd place LA Galaxy.

RSL U16 Academy Overview – U16’s have done well in 2013 going 7-1-2. This past weekend they defeated Real So Cal, 1-0.

Last Game – U16’s did not let their lead slip away this time against Real So Cal defeating them, 1-0. The last time these two teams faced each other Real So Cal scored late to equalize the game. The goal in this past weekend’s game was scored by: Bofo Sacuedo assisted by Jason Eng.

Right Now – RSL is now W15-L5-D4 on the season and in 3rd place in the Southwest Division, 49 points-2.04 ppg, and first place in the wildcard. Chivas USA leads the Southwest Division with 56 points-2.24 ppg. Real So Cal is in second place with 51 points-2.13 ppg. RSL and Real So Cal have played one fewer game than Chivas USA.

Up Next – U16’s have a huge weekend in front of them as they travel to Los Angeles. On Saturday then take on 1st place Chivas USA and on Sunday they take on 7th place LA Galaxy.