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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.
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.
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Fisco, TX (June 26th, 2013) – Real Salt Lake picked up a valuable point in a scoreless draw against the Chicago Strikers on Wednesday night in the second game of the group stage in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs.
RSL now has 4 points in group play and have an opportunity to win the group and advance to finals week when they face FC Dallas on Friday morning. RSL needs to outright win this game and FC Dallas just need a draw.
RSL came out strong in the opening minutes, sending in a flurry of shots in the 10th minute that were all deflected out by the Sockers defense. Brooks Lennon, unmarked, had the best opportunity for RSL in the entire game when his header, inside the box, went just wide.
RSL continued to push forward but were unable to find the break. Diego Silva was once again deadly on the wing with his runs and crosses but when balls came into the box, no players were making runs.
The Sockers performance started to improve near the end of the half and threatened the RSL goal on a few chances late. ‘Keeper Chase Bishov had some big saves the first in the 35th minute when he positioned himself to stop a shot on the wing and another in the 37th when a Sockers, unmarked, headed in a shot from 3 yards out. Bishov raced out and pushed the ball aside preserving the shutout as the teams went into the half.
After the break, RSL came out strong again and a 48th minute shot by Josh Doughty from the left-wing hit the post and bounced out. Two minutes later, a high cross by Diego Silva was sent into the box. Bofo Saucedo raced in and headed ball far post but a well-timed saved by the Sockers ‘keeper kept the game scoreless.
RSL’s defense then started to step up and if it wasn’t for the performance of CB Justen Glad, Sockers could have easily had a goal. In the game, Glad stopped 4 counters and became so deadly that Sockers players started to play around him to avoid him.
A 63rd minute sub brought Dillon Nino which moved Luis Lopez to the midfield. This proved to be a key substitution as Lopez became a massive threat and helped control the middle. This allowed Jack Gayton to move up more in the attack and a spin move by him outside of the 18 gave him a great open look but his shot was saved in the 72nd minute.
Gayton had another shot on goal 3 minutes later which went out for a corner. RSL then had 4 corners in a row and each time then ball was played in a perfect spot but no one could find the back of the net.
Sockers, who needed a win to stay alive in group play, then started pushing forwards but big time defending by RSL’s backline and some more timely saves by Bishov kept the game scoreless.
Next game for RSL will be on Friday at 11:00am vs FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake U-16’s played Chicago Sockers to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night. RSL needs to defeat FC Dallas on Friday to advance.
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