Lui sLopez

Frisco, TX (6-28-13) –In the most thrilling Real Salt Lake U-16 Academy game this season, both Brooks Lennon and Bofo Saucedo scored twice in a 6-3 victory over FC Dallas in the final group game to advance to Finals Week.

Picture gallery from the game here
Celebration gallery here

The day before, the U-18 team was unfortunately eliminated from playoffs but they kept their spirits high and sang, cheered and celebrated every goal with the U-16 team.

“Honestly, it was the support the U-18’s gave us during the game,” said Saucedo. “Cheering for us all game, making noise. We wanted to celebrate every goal with them.”

This marks the second time in the three-year history of the Real Salt Lake Academy that the U-16 team has advanced to Finals Week. The first in the inaugural season of 2010-2011.

“The U-18’s laid the foundation, time to pass the torch,” said coach Freddy Juarez. “Our seniors spoke to the U-16’s the night before and today they followed the game plan from the beginning. Got some early goals, which helps our confidence.”

RSL, needing a victory to advance, jumped out to a two goal lead in the opening minutes. Saucedo scored his first goal in the 2nd minute, assisted by Brooks Lennon, and his second in the 7th when he headed in a Diego Silva cross. RSL continued to attack with purpose and picked up their third goal in the 35th minute when Lennon dribbled into space from the right-wing and fired a left-footed shot near post.

As halftime approached, FC Dallas was able to fire one last shot that was punched out for a corner by ‘keeper Chase Bishov. The resulting corner kick dropped down inside the box and an FC Dallas player shot across the face of goal giving the game a bittersweet taste going into the half.

After the break FC Dallas started to turn up the pressure and looked as if they were going comeback in the game. RSL, however, were the team to grab the next goal in the 60th minute when Diego “Diablo” Silva scored his second goal of the playoffs, extending the lead back to three goals.

Whether it be a high potent offense that was averaging 4 goals per game in the playoffs or an RSL defense that was a little too slow, FC Dallas stormed back and scored two goals in quick succession. The first in the 66th minute from long throw and the second two minutes later when a low cross was headed in.

The game exploded after this. Fans on either side became quite loud and in the 75th minute RSL silenced the FCD supporters when Josh Doughty dribbled into the box, unmarked, and finished far post. Two minutes later Saucedo dribbled into the box and was taken down from behind for a straight red to the FCD player and awarded a PK. Lennon stepped up and scored his second in the game.

FCD hit the wall after this and never threatened again giving RSL a 6-3 victory.

In one of the most thrilling games all year-long for the RSL U-16 Academy team, they emerged victorious in a 6-3 victory over FC Dallas. With the victory, RSL finished first in the group and has advanced to Finals Week which will be held in Houston in two weeks.

Because we took so many pictures of the match we decided to mix up the two galleries.

To see the match click here.

Click on one picture and a slider gallery will from.

In one of the most thrilling games all year-long for the RSL U-16 Academy team, they emerged victorious in a 6-3 victory over FC Dallas. With the victory, RSL finished first in the group and has advanced to Finals Week which will be held in Houston in two weeks.

Because we took so many pictures of the postgame celebration we decided to mix up the two galleries.

To see the celebration click here.

Click on one picture and a slider gallery will from.

Frisco, TX (June 27th, 2013) – Going into the final game of group play at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs the Real Salt Lake U-18 team was playing for pride. Eliminated just two days before, in a heartbreaking draw, RSL were without a victory and the 12 seniors on the team wanted to end their careers on a positive note.

DC United had other plans, however, as they rallied late and scored two goals in the final eight minutes to seal the, 2-1, victory sending RSL home with a 0-2-1 record in group play.

Picture gallery from the game here.

In a move of respect, the coaches starting XI consisted of all seniors players: Cesar Cobos, Tigran Tiraturyan. Jonathan Stadler, Brandon Marquez, Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Jon Zabasajja, Luis Chavez, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, Andrew Brody, Benji Lopez, Coco Navarro.

The teams were both slow coming out of the gates initially but it was DCU who started to find holes within RSL’s midfield. A 16th minute slide tackle by Isaias “Junior” Juarez prevented a shot from the left-wing and a 19th minute stop by Jonathan Stadler prevented an open look in front the net. The U-18’s backline was playing well but the transition out of the back to the midfield to the forwards was non-existent as DCU kept the majority of the possession in RSL’s half.

RSL woke up near then end of the second half when Zabasajja started to moved forward with the ball. For the previous 40 minutes Zabasajja was providing help to the CB’s but once he got forward the offense attacked with purpose. Zabasajja had RSL’s first shot in the 37th minute Brody dribbled in from the wing on the touchline in the 40th minute, megging a defender, but was stopped just before he could cross it in to an unmarked RSL forward.

After the halftime break RSL made four changes. Corey Nemeth, Jose Hernandez, Luis “Wicho” Barraza and Damian German were subbed on for Junior, Vasquez, Cobos and Chaves

The offense continued to become more aggressive after this as Navarro and Lopez were receiving a lot of support. After a number of shots came in from RSL, Navarro broke the scoreless game in the 68th minute when a great buildup play out of the back from Nemeth and Santi Carrillo found Brody alone on the left-wing. He crossed it in, Navarro trapped the ball and slotted it far post.

RSL continued to press sending in more shots but the unfortunate happened in the 83rd minute when a pass back to the RSL ‘keeper took an awkward bounce and went high into the net. Seven minutes later a DC United forward stripped an RSL midfield of the ball and then charged at the net slotting the ball far post. The final whistle was blown moments later ending the game and the season for the RSL U-18 Academy Team.

In the last game of group play the Real Salt Lake U18 team were defeated, 2-1, to DC United.

Click on one picture and a slider gallery will from.