RSL U16 Elite lost to CCV Stars 97 Black, 2-1, on Sunday in the second game in the Arizona State Cup. Full recap from the game here. Click on one picture and a slider gallery will appear.
Picture Gallery – RSL U16 Elite vs Valparaiso
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.
Recap – RSL U18 & U16 Academy vs San Diego Surf
Real Salt Lake U18 & U16 Academy teams hosted San Diego Surf on Saturday. Below are the recaps from the games.
RSL U18 vs San Diego Surf U18
Starting XI: Luis Barraza, Corey Nemeth, Santi Carrillo, Kostas Kotselas, Amer Sasivarevic, Trevor Hyman, Andrew Brody, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, Tigran Tiraturyan, Coco Navarro
Bench: Aidan Tucker, Benji Lopez, Jaime Payamps, Brandon Johnston, Eric Gonzalez, Luis Chavez, AJ Esparza
Click Here For U18 RSL vs San Diego Surf Picture Gallery
Summary – After coming off of a successful weekend in Seattle where they earned 4 points, RSL U18’s were eager grab 3 more points to help increase their lead in the Southwest Division.
RSL came out aggressive early on and almost grabbed the lead in the 4th minute when Coco Navarro’s shot went just wide of the net. Three minutes later Andrew Brody beat a defender down the line and sent in a low cross to a waiting Kostas Kotselas. A Surf defender slid for the ball and accidentally kicked it into his net for an own goal.
The game started to look like RSL could run away with it early but the Surf help their own on defense. RSL continued to pound the Surf goal and were unfortunate to not come up with more goals. Andrew Brody had a shot from the 18 blocked. Corey Nemeth took a shot that went wide and Amer Sasivarevic had back-to-back shots saved by the Surf GK.
In the 52nd minute RSL’s persistence paid off when Jonathan Stadler kicked the ball up to Kostas Kotselas. He trapped the ball and laid it off to Trevor Hyman. Hyman took a shot that went across the face of goal hitting the post. The ball took a fortunate rebound and went right back to Hyman who finished giving RSL a 2-0 lead.
The Surf reacted positively and were able to grab a goal on a counter attack in the 56th minute. RSL calmed down after the goal and the only other chance for the Surf happened in the 68th minute when RSL LB Corey Nemeth chased down a counter attack. With the lead RSL passed the ball around and were under no pressure by the Surf who didn’t challenge players or passes. RSL continued to pass around and cruised to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Surf.
Starting XI: Brooks Lennon, Fito Ovalle, Dillion Nino, Josh Doughty, Luis Lopez, Chase Bishov, Bofo Saucedo, Damian German, Diego Silva, Moises Rodriguez, Jason Eng
Bench: Nate Deaton, Jack Gayton, Aaron Hererra, Miguel Martinez, Albert Molina, Elias Rieland, Evan Waldrep
Click Here For U16 RSL vs San Diego Surf Picture Gallery
Summary – After suffering back-to-back losses in Washington RSL needed 3 points to keep pace with the leaders in the Southwest Division.
RSL started out quickly moving the ball around well and pressuring the Surf defense. Only issue for RSL was they couldn’t finish their opportunities. A offisdes call in the 13th minute negated an impressive counter attack. A misfired shot by Fito Ovalle in the 17th minute just went over the crossbar. As RSL missed their chances, Surf players started to gain confidence.
In the 22nd minute a Surf player weaved through the RSL defense and missed his shot. Minutes later another Surf player headed the ball over the crossbar. As the Surf turned up the pressure they also committed more players forward which backfired for them in the 32nd minute. Fito Ovalle played a ball over the top to Bofo Saucedo. He collected the ball dribbled into the box as the Surf GK came out. Saucedo then laid it off to an unmarked Moises Rodriguez who fired the shot into the net.
RSL doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Diego Silva dribbled around the Surf goalie and scored from the wing. With the 2 goal lead RSL passed the ball around and tried to hold on for the shut out but were unfortunately denied that when the Surf scored in the final minute. With seconds remaining after the goal the whistle was blown giving RSl a 2-1 victory.
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.