RSL U16 Elite defeated Valparaiso, 3-1 on Saturday in the first game in the Arizona State Cup. Full recap from the game here. Click on one picture and a slider gallery will appear.
RSL U16 Elite – Arizona State Cup Weekend Rewind
With two Arizona State Cup games in two days, RSL U16 Elite knew that they needed a strong weekend. On Saturday, RSL defeated Valparaiso, 3-1, and on Sunday RSL lost to CCV Stars 97 Black. Below are the recaps from the games
RSL vs Valparaiso United Futbol 97 Boys
Picture gallery from the game here
Sometimes in a game you need something to wake you up. For RSL, that was Valparaiso taking the lead in the second half. After the goal, RSL scored 3 goals and cruised to a victory in the opening game of the Arizona State Cup.
RSL was outstanding in the first half keeping the ball and possession on Valparaiso’s side. Unfortunately for RSL they just couldn’t finish. Shots by Duncan Storey and Tevin Lowe both hit the post and bounced out. Jonathan Min and Patricio Cevallos also had shots saved. RSL came out strong in the second half controlling the game even further in Valparaiso’s half. It looked like a 5v3 hockey power play. However as it seems to be the case with the U16’s, the defense got caught out of position when Valparaiso countered and scored.
Down a goal RSL pushed forward after the restart and earned a corner. Josh Coan’s cross found the head of Miles Stray who powerfully headed the ball into the net.
Seven minutes later RSL took the lead when Octavio Ocampo sent a free kick long into the box. Danny Moreno kicked the ball back into the middle of the box. Brandon Sands then pounced on the ball and fired into the back of the net.
The third and final goal came in the 76th minute when Duncan Storey dribbled into the box and shot bottom left.
RSL closed out the game with an important, 3-1, victory.
RSL vs CCV Stars 97 Black
Picture gallery from the game here
An important first game victory put RSL in a great position. With a potential victory over CCV Stars, RSL could secure advancement to the quarterfinals.
RSL started out strong again and almost took the lead within the first few minutes. Terrell Lowe had a header that just missed wide and Octavio Ocampo hit a volley that also went wide. With these missed chances and control of the possession the game started to feel like the opening game versus Valaparaiso. And in eerie fashion the opening goal happened in the same way when CCV Stars countered and scored up the middle in the 26th minute.
The start of the second half was a little unorganized for both teams and they kept kicking the ball around not producing any threats. RSL started to calm down and started to move around the ball with more efficiency around the 50th minute. The break came for them in the 56th minute when Nate Deaton headed down a ball to Terrell Lowe. He took a touch and played it through to Javi Avelar. He cut into the box took a touch and fired, equalizing the game at 1-1.
Both teams kept pushing for the winning goal as CCV Star who lost the opening game needed a victory to stay alive. RSL needed a victory to advance. CCV Stars outlasted RSL as they grabbed the lead in the 78th minute when they countered again. RSL did have a chance to take the lead a minute before when Nate Deaton fired a curling shot far post. The CCV Stars GK made a remarkable save with prompted the counter attack.
With minutes remaining RSL tried to find the equalizer but were unlucky as time ran out. RSL now faces off against Sereno who is 2-0. A victory secures advancement and a draw could help depending on tie breakers. Complete Standings here.
Community Service: Boys & Girls Club Visits Grande Sports Academy
A few weeks ago Grande Sports Academy visited Boys & Girls Club after school and played soccer and basketball with the students. Now it was GSA’s turn to host. On Wednesday, April 18th, thirteen Boys & Girls Club students visited GSA to learn some soccer tips and to play games with our Academy players.
After walking outside to the fields the Boys & Girls Club students were divided up and paired with one Academy player to play a big game of World Cup. In the first game Duncan Storey and his team won and the second game was cancelled early because we got ambushed by water sprinklers.
As always the case with our Academy players they loved every second of it and look forward to more community service projects.
Picture Gallery – RSL U16 vs Alianza All-Star Team
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RSL-AZ U16 Elite Weekend Review
Going into their last three group games of Far West Regional play Real Salt Lake U16 Elite put themselves in a good position to advance to the next round. Below are the recaps for each game.
Picture gallery from the games here
Game #1 – RSL vs Pumas Premier Academy FC
RSL Starting XI: Miguel Martinez, Miles Stray, Javier Avelar, Danny Moreno, Duncan Storey, Octavio Ocampo, Nate Deaton, Trent Lowe, Tevin Lowe, Patricio Cevallos, Terrell Lowe.
Summary: Two weeks ago, in the first three games of group play, RSL went 1-2 picking up 5 points. Second place in the group was Chiva Jr. who had 11 points and no games remaining. For RSL to advance they needed 7 points. A loss wouldn’t knock them out but would put them in a very bad position. Within minutes of the opening whistle RSL’s goal was under a heavy assault by Pumas attack. CB Miles Stray had two big clearances and GK Miguel Martinez stopped at shot in the 18th minute and again in the 28th minute when he ran out and blocked a Pumas shot on a 1v1. The impressive performance by Martinez kept the game scoreless going into the half.
Two minutes into the second half Pumas countered and caught the RSL defense napping scoring the opening goal. Martinez kept making diving saves and both Danny Moreno and Nate Deaton started to provide a spark for RSL. However their efforts ended minutes later for both who had to be subbed out for an injury. Pumas scored again in the 52nd minute when a free kick broke through the wall and into the net.
RSL then pushed many players forward and shots from inside the 18 by Deaton and Patricio Cevallos both missed their marks. Pumas kept their composure on defense and lasted out the clock defeating RSL, 2-0.
Game #2 – RSL vs FC Golden State
Starting XI: Miguel Martinez, Trent Lowe, Brandon Sands, Miles Stray, Nick Lamonica, Nate Deaton, Duncan Storey, Danny Moreno, Octavio Ocampo, Terrell Lowe, Patricio Cevallos.
Summary: After the loss earlier in the morning RSL had to win this game and win by a few goals or concede none. RSL started out a little sharper but were stilled plagued by poor passing and communication. GK Miguel Martinez was busy again having to make 3 saves in the first 26 minutes. RSL’s chances were limited on the attack and both teams went into the half scoreless.
Like in the previous game RSL found themselves down again in the second half when FC Golden State scored in the 64th minute off of a counter. They then doubled their lead in the 65th minute when another defensive breakdown led to a goal.
RSL tried to push forward but couldn’t find a way to land a shot on target. Time ran out for RSL who lost 2-0 eliminating them from Far West Regional.
Game #3 – RSL VS Tucson Soccer Academy
Starting XI: Miguel Martinez, Trent Lowe, Nate Deaton, Miles Stray, Nicholas LaMonica, Duncan Storey, Javi Avelar, Patricio Cevallos, Terrell Lowe, Jonathan Min, Octavio Ocampo.
Summary: With the two losses the day before RSL went into the game on Sunday with pride on the line. A much sharper effort in the first half allowed RSL to control the game. GK Miguel Martinez was called upon a few times but nothing was too threatening from TSA.
RSL kept pushing forward but was unable to grab a goal resulting in a scoreless draw. With the result RSL finished in 5th place in the group.
Photo Gallery – RSL U16 Elite
Pictures from RSL-AZ U16 Elite Far West Regional play versus Pumas Premier FC Academy and FC Golden State. Click on one picture and a slider gallery will form.