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Playoff Preview For Real Salt Lake U18 & U16 Academy Teams

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Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake Arizona - (6)The U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs kickoff tonight for the Real Salt Lake U-18 Academy team and tomorrow for the U-16’s. The U18’s go into their group as the top seeded team, first time for the U-18’s in Academy history, and the U16’s go into their group as the second seeded team.
Schedule below

Thirty-two teams qualified for the playoffs and were divided up into eight groups with four teams per group. The teams in the group will play each other once and the winner of the group will advance to finals week that will be held between July 14-20 in Houston, Texas.

Real Salt Lake Academy teams are one of six teams in the country to have their U-16’s & U-18’s qualify for the playoffs in each of the past three years. Other teams are: CASL Chelsea FC Academy, FC Dallas, Chicago Fire, Concorde Fire, Crew Soccer Academy.

Below is how the teams in RSL’s group finished the 2012-2013 season.

Playoff Finish Games W L T PTS GF GA PTS/G
Real Salt Lake #7 28 19 5 4 61 73 35 2.18
DC United #9 25 17 6 2 53 72 29 2.12
CASL Chelsea FC Academy #17 25 14 7 4 46 37 28 1.84
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri WC #11 27 14 9 4 46 50 31 1.70

Previous results for the U18′s:
2011-2012: RSL finished second in the group winning 2 games, losing 1, scoring 4 goals and conceding 2.
2010-2011: RSL finished second in the group winning 2 games,losing 1, scoring 7 goals and conceding 3.

The U16′s go into their group as the second best team. Below is how the teams in their group finished the 2012-2013 season.

FC Dallas #3 27 21 4 2 65 70 18 2.41
Real Salt Lake #14 28 17 6 5 56 68 34 2.00
FC DELCO WC #4 25 14 7 4 46 47 29 1.84
Sockers FC WC #9 27 13 7 7 46 39 22 1.70

Previous results for the U16′s:
2011-2012: RSL finished second in the group winning 2 games, losing 1, scoring 9 goals and conceding 5.
2010-2011: RSL won their group winning 2 games, drawing 1, scoring 13 goals and conceding 3 goals. In finals week they finished second in their group winning 1 game and drawing 2. They advanced to the third place game and defeated Real So Cal, 8-7, on penalties. Video of that here.

ALL GAMES LOCAL TIME (Dallas)

U18 Schedule

Monday, June 24th
Real Salt Lake vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri  – 9:15pm at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #15

Tuesday, June 25th
Real Salt Lake vs CASL Chelsea FC Academy – 9:30pm at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #15

Thursday, June 27th
Real Salt Lake vs DC United – 11:00am at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #15

U16 Schedule

Tuesday, June 25th
Real Salt Lake vs FC DELCO – 7:15pm at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #12

Wednesday, June 26th
Real Salt Lake vs Sockers FC – 9:00pm at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #9

Friday, June 28th
Real Salt Lake vs FC Dallas – 11:00am at FC Dallas Sports Park Field #7

Weekend Recap – Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s vs Arsenal

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Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U18 Academy vs Arsenal - Eric Gonzalez (3)The final regular season game for the Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s was this past weekend vs Arsenal FC. The U18’s needed a victory and some help to win the Southwest Division and the U16’s needed any points to secure the best possible playoff seeding. Below is the recap, pictures and video of a goal from the U18’s.

RSL U18 vs Arsenal U18

Starting XI: Luis Barraza (71′), Corey Nemeth, Jonathan Stadler, Santi Carrillo, Tigran Tiraturyan (65′), Andrew Brody (75′), Jon Zabasajja (46′), Jose Hernandez, Jose “Bean” Vasquez (75′), Coco Navarro, Amer Sasivarevic (73′)
Bench: Haedan Turner (75′), Miguel Martinez (71′), Kostas Kotselas (46′), Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Brandon Johnston (73′), Te Wihongi (65′), Eric Gonzalez (75′)

Pictures from the game here
Video of Tigran Tiraturyan’s goal here

It took Real Salt Lake U18’s 44 minutes to find the back of the net and once they did the onslaught was on. A season high eight goals were scored in the season finale against Arsenal FC at Grande Sports World. RSL finishes the season 19-5-4 for a second place finish in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in the three-year history for the academy.

After being down a goal for the majority of the half RSL equalized in the 45th minute when an Arsenal player was shown a second yellow for a vicious tackle from behind which sent him off. Tigran Tiraturyan stepped up and converted the free kick. Moments later RSL pressured the Arsenal backline which created a turnover. Coco Navarro found himself alone in the box and scored RSL’s second of the match.

One change at the half brought Kostas Kotselas into the game for Jon Zabasajja. His presence was felt 44 seconds later when he doubled RSL’s lead. Amer Sasivarevic scored the next 2 goals giving him 6 in 8 games. Te Wihongi entered the game before Sasivarevic’s second goal and created numerous defensive problems for Arsenal on the left side. In the 70th minute Wihongi sent in a low cross which lead to a blocked Navarro shot. Seconds later Wihongi made the same run again and sent in the low cross. This time Navarro would not be denied giving him his second goal in the game and his 20th on the season.

RSL’s 7th goal was scored by Kotselas from an Andrew Brody cross and second half substitute Eric Gonzalez broke free on the left-wing and beat the goalie near post for the final goal. It was Gonzalez’s first goal for the academy in the three years at GSA.

RSL did concede 2 goals in the game. The first was in the 10th minute when Arsenal countered and the second a remarkable shot. After Sasivarevic’s first goal, on the restart, an Arsenal player took a shot from halfway and scored a spectacular goal.

With the victory RSL’s U18’s finished in second place. They are tied with the LA Galaxy on points but the Galaxy have a better goal differential giving them the Division crown. RSL also looks like they have secured a pot #1 draw in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs which will be drawn on June 17th.

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U16 Academy vs Arsenal -RSL U16 vs Arsenal U16

Starting XI: Christian Herrera, Moises Rodriguez, Luis Lopez, Dillion Nino, Jason Eng, Jack Gayton (56′), Fito Ovalle, Evan Waldrep (72′), Diego Silva, Josh Doughty, Damian German.
Bench: Bayley Scholz, Alex Knox (56′), Miles Stray (72′), Adam Ferguson, Nate Deaton

Pictures from the game here

Real Salt Lake U16’s already secured second place in the Southwest Division and needed one last strong showing to remain in the second pot for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. A 1-1 draw with Arsenal FC may not seem like the ideal result but the one point secured in this game will keep RSL in the second pot.

By remaining in the second pot, RSL will avoid having to play tougher competition in group play.

RSL started off well scoring in the 20th minute when Damian German pounced on a loose ball in the box but an unfortunate defensive miscue 5 minutes into the second half saw Arsenal equalize the game.

Chances in the game were limited for both sides due to the strong defensive performances. RSL’s defense lead by Dillion Nino and Jason Eng were active early blocking Arsenal shots and cutting off Arsenal attacks. Eng also started RSL’s most dangerous attack in the 30th minute when he and Josh Doughty connected for a quick counter up the right-wing. Doughty laid it off to Evan Waldrep who’s shot was deflected out.

After Arsenal’s goal, Damian German produced RSL’s final 2 chances. In the 48th minute he chipped the ‘keeper but put a little too much on the ball as it sailed over the crossbar. His last chance came in the 65th minute when his shot from the side was saved by the Arsenal ‘keeper who had to lay out.

Arsenal had one final chance but were once again stopped by Nino who had a stellar performance in the regular season finale. RSL closes out the season W17-L6-D5 and finished in second place in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in franchise history.

Picture Gallery – Real Salt Lake Academy U18 vs Arsenal

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Real Salt Lake U18’s scored a season high in goals and defeated Arsenal 8-2 in the final regular season game. The eight goals surpassed the previous high of 5 goals that were scored against Nomads SC on January 27th.

Goals were scored by: Coco Navarro (45′, 70′), Kostas Kotselas (46′, 75′), Amer Sasivarevic (57′, 67′), Tigran Tiraturyan (45′), Eric Gonzalez (85′).

We filmed the Tiraturyan goal. Watch it here.

Game recap here.

Click on one picture and a slider gallery will appear.

Weekend Recap – Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s Defeat Pateadores By Combined Score Of 8-1

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Real Salt Lake Academy U18 and U16 teams have already qualified for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs and now they are looking to improve their playoff positioning. Below are the game recaps, pictures and video from this weekend’s action.

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U18 vs Pateadores - Amer SasivarevicRSL U18 vs Pateadores U18

Starting XI: Luis Barraza (’82), Ive Burnett, Santi Carrillo (’80), Corey Nemeth (’76), Jonathan Stadler, Andrew Brody, Jose Hernandez, Jon Zabasajja (’80), Trevor Hyman (’44), Coco Navarro (’70), Kostas Kotselas (’67)
Bench: Amer Sasivarevic (’44), Te Wihongi (’76), Luis Chavez (’80), Brandon Marquez (’80), Christian Herrera (’82), Aidan Tucker (’67), Jose Vasquez (’70)

Picture from the game here
Kostas Kotselas PK goal here

It took Real Salt Lake U18’s fifty-three minutes before the could find the back of the net and once they did  the onslaught was on. Four second half goals helped RSL cruise to a 4-1 victory over Southwest Division foes Pateadores.

Amer Sasivarevic opened up the scoring when Kostas Kotselas headed a ball far post finding an unmarked Sasivarevic who headed it in. Four minutes later Pateadores were called for a hand ball in the box. Kostas Kotselas stepped up and converted the PK.

Coco Navarro, called up by RSL to play in a reserve league match on Monday, scored his 19th goal on the season in the 66th minute and Aidan Tucker, playing in his final academy game, scored his first goal of for the team  in the 80th minute. Pateadores did score in the 73rd minute off of a counter but there was little doubt RSL U18’s dominated the game and the entire second half.

RSL played well in the first half but just couldn’t finish in the final third. Jose Hernandez, Trevor Hyman, Coco Navarro and Andrew Brody all had outstanding looks but shot’s were off target or blocked by the Pateadores GK.

One theme that did pick up near the end of the first half was the buildup of physicality between both teams. Four Pateadores players were shown a  yellow card and one player was sent off in the 70th minute when he picked up his second yellow. As the Pateadores became way too concerned with the yellow’s, RSL kept their focus and moved on taking advantage of a Pateadores team that was unorganized.

The highlight of the game for the players was when Tucker, who was not named to the summer roster, scored the last goal in the game. Tucker has played in 6 academy games and was primarily used as an Elite team player where he scored double-digit goals this season.

With the victory, RSL U18’s are now 3 points behind LA Galaxy for first in the Southwest Division. They have also moved up to #9 in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. They need to finish top 8 for secure the best playoff position.

Complete standings here

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U16 vs Pateadores - Dillon Nino, Brooks Lennon, Alex Knox, Luis LopezRSL U16 vs Pateadores U16

Starting XI: Chase Bishov, Jason Eng, Justen Glad, Dillon Nino, Moises Rodriguez, Luis Lopez, Fito Ovalle, Bofo Saucedo, Damian German, Josh Doughty, Brooks LennonBench: Adam Ferguson, Alex Knox, Terrell Lowe, Miguel Martinez, Diego Silva, Elias Rieland, Miles Stray, Evan Waldrep

Picture gallery from the game here
Luis Lopez free kick goal here

Real Salt Lake U16’s exhibited a little bit of a monkey see, monkey do attitude when taking on Pateadores this past weekend. Not wanting to be outdone by the older team, the U16’s also scored four goals against Pateadores and then claimed the bragging rights for the weekend by holding the opposition scoreless.

RSL took the lead in the 16th minute when Josh Doughty, back from participating with the Canadian U16 team, showcased some fancy footwork inside the box, passing to an unmarked Bofo Saucedo who scored his 14th goal of the season. Pateadores tried to answer back quickly but a big save from Chase Bishov kept the game scoreless. A Pateadores player broke free and Bishov ran out and smothered the ball before the Pateadores player could take a shot.

Damian German doubled RSL’s lead in the 40th minute when he fired a shot near post from a Brooks Lennon pass that was started by Josh Doughty.

Brooks Lennon then reclaimed his team lead in goals, 15 on the season, when he cut in from the wing. He touch two touches on the 18 and sent a curling ball far post. Two minutes later in the 66th minute Luis Lopez stepped up and converted a free kick from 22 yards out. His first goal on the season.

Pateadores showed signs of life in the 73rd minute when a turnover in the midfield by RSL led to a counter. Outstanding defense by Dillon Nino and Jason Eng slowed down the counter which resulted in a weak shot outside the 18. Pateadores had another chance minutes later but back-to-back saves from ‘keeper Miguel Martinez kept the game scoreless preserving the 4 goal lead.

With the victory, RSL has now clinched second in the Southwest Division. U16’s also did not improve their playoff chances and will most likely be in the second pot for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs which means they will have to take on a top 8 team.

Complete standings here

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

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U18'sOnce 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.

playoff

 

U16'sRSL 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.

Wildcard