After the U18’s & U16’s both defeated Real So Cal during the day we had a team BBQ on Sunday afternoon. Fito Ovalle also was celebrating his birthday and his parents flew down from Utah!
Weekend Recap – RSL U18 & U16 Academy vs Real So Cal
Real Salt Lake Academy teams hosted Real So Cal on Sunday at Grande Sports Complex. Below are the recaps and pictures from the games.
Starting XI: Luis Barraza, Corey Nemeth, Santi Carrillo, Jonathan Stadler, Ive Burnett, Jon Zabasajja, Andrew Brody, Trevor Hyman, Jose Hernandez, Amer Sasivarevic, Coco Navarro
Bench: Tigran Tiraturyan, Luis Chavez, Christian Herrera, Te Wihongi, Kostas Kotselas, Brandon Marquez, Jose Vasquez
Picture gallery from the game here
The last time these two teams faced each other six weeks ago, Rea Salt Lakes’s inability to finish chances allowed Real So Cal hang around long enough to grab a victory late. On Sunday, RSL made sure this wasn’t the case again.
After initial opening minute shots from Jose Hernandez and Andrew Brody that threatened the So Cal net, RSL was able to convert one when Hernandez, on the end line, passed to the top of the box. Trevor Hyman came running in and pounded a shot low right. Off the ball movement by Amer Sasivarevic created a major hole for Hernandez to run into to after receiving the ball from Andrew Brody.
Four minutes later Coco Navarro played a through ball to Sasivarevic who showed great composure when finishing the shot with the So Cal GK coming out.
RSL’s defense was also having a stellar day. CB Santi Carrillo was aggressive throughout the whole game winning countless 50-50 chances and coming up big in the 26th minute when Real So Cal countered 3v2. Carrillo took a step back and perfectly timed the tackle ending the So Cal threat. RSL scored their third goal in the 35th minute when Navarro took a shot that was saved by the So Cal GK. The ball bounced right and Brody picked it up and finished.
RSL’s last goal came two minutes later when Jose Hernandez, from Brody, inside the box shot high over the ‘Keepers outstretched arms.
With the lead firmly in hand, RSL’s second half was a lot quieter with few chances for both sides. Jon Zabasajja stopped a few So Cal chances, Gk Luis Barraza made a few saves and Kostas Kotselas had a few chances but the shots were off the mark. Tigran Tiraturyan had the final chance with minutes remaining by a finger tip save by the So Cal GK kept the game at a 4-0 RSL victory.
The shutout is RSL’s first in the last three matches. RSL now has a 4 point lead in the Southwest Division. Te Wihongi, from New Zealand, was subbed into the game in the 80th minute making his Academy debut.
Next game for RSL is on Saturday vs Chivas USA in Los Angeles.
Starting XI: Chase Bishov, Damian Germain, Diego Silva, Dillion Nino, Jason Eng, Justen Glad, Jack Gayton, Evan Waldrep, Brooks Lennon, Bofo Saucedo, Fito Ovalle
Bench: Adam Ferguson, Christian Herrera, Alex Knox, Luis Lopez, Albert Molina, Elias Rieland, Moises Rodriguez
Picture gallery from the game here
With only three points in their last three games RSL needed a victory over Real So Cal to keep pace in the Southwest Division with the leaders.
After a slow start for both teams things started to get very active at the 18th minute. Real So Cal had their first shot on goal when their counter attack was foiled by RSL’s ability to get numbers behind the ball. The weak shot didn’t threaten Chase Bishov who then quickly bounced up and threw a ball forward that led to a RSL counter. Bofo Saucedo then beat the So Cal GK and took a shot that traveled across the face of goal hitting the post and bouncing out.
Saucedo became constant threat on So Cal’s defense after this. He has another shot in the 23rd minute saved and looked as if he was taken down in the box in the 29th minute which was not called. Saucedo continued to work hard and grabbed the goal he had been searching for in the 37th minute. The assist goes to Jason Eng who was helped by Evan Waldrep who had been a force over the last 15 minutes in the midfield. CB’s Justen Glad and Dillion Nino also had a tremendous day holding down the backline.
After the restart in the second half RSL didn’t miss a beat as they continued to create chances. Brooks Lennon had the best opportunity when he cut into the box got tripped up and took a shot. It looked as it Lennon was going to fall but coaches praised him for his strength and toughness by staying up.
As time was close to expiring So Cal push forward for the equalizing goal but they were deterred by RSL’s strong defensive showing.
With the victory Real Salt Lake is now 2 points behind Real So Cal for second place in the Southwest Division.
Next game for RSL is on Saturday vs Chivas USA in Los Angeles.
Photo Gallery: Real Salt Lake U-18 vs. Real So Cal U-18
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Real Salt LakeU-18 crusied to a 4-0 win over Real So Cal on Saturday morning at the Grande Sports World.
NOTE: Click on one picture and a slider gallery will form
Grande Sports Academy at prom
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Twelve Grande Sports Academy players attended Vista Grande High School’s Prom on Saturday night. Tigran Tiraturyan, Coco Navarro, Corey Nemeth, Trevor Hyman, Santi Carrillo, Ceasar Cobos, Brandon Marquez, Jason Eng, Andrew Brody and Elias Rieland all posed for a series of pictures with their dates before they went off to dinner. (Not pictured: Jose Vasquez, Luis Chavez)
NOTE: Click on one picture and a slider gallery will form
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.
RSL U18 Academy Weekend Review
Real Salt Lake U18 Academy had a big weekend coming up vs Crossfire Premier and Seattle Sounders FC in Washington. Below are the recaps from each game.
Saturday, April 6th – RSL vs Crossfire Premier
RSL Starting XI: Andrew Brody, Ive Burnett, Santi Carrillo, Cesar Cobos, Jose Hernandez, Kostas Kotselas, Tony Murillo, Corey Nemeth, Jonathan Stadler, Tigran Tiraturyan, Jon Zabasajja.
Summary: Going into the first of two big road games, RSL knew they were going to need a good start immediately. However due to weather conditions and a smaller field it took RSL about 20 minutes to find a rhythm in the game. And once they found it the game was essentially over.
Kostas Kotselas, thrust into the starting lineup for the missing Coco Navarro, scored once in the 27th minute and again in the 37th minute. Crossfire Premier kept the game tight with aggressive play and hard work which kept the game close until the 84th minute when Amer Sasivarevic scored his first foal of the season. Crossfire Premier were able to grab a goal back in the 90th minute off of a free kick ending the game with a 3-1 RSL victory.
Even with the victory RSL knew they could play better because a big matchup was looming vs Seattle Sounders the next day.
Sunday, April 7th – RSL vs Seattle Sounders
RSL Starting XI: Andrew Brody, Ive Burnett, Santi Carrillo, Cesar Cobos, Trevor Hyman, Kostas Kotselas, Tony Murillo, Corey Nemeth, Jonathan Stadler, Tigran Tiraturyan, Jon Zabasajja.
Summary: RSL found themselves under pressure early on in the game. The Sounders were a far more aggressive, technical and hard-working team versus RSL opponent on Saturday. Minutes into the match Sounders had their first chance when a player was taken down in the box. The resulting PK was denied by the post, keeping the game scoreless. Around the 22nd minute Seattle found the back of the net and then 15 minutes later they doubled their lead when a cross came in and a Sounders player fired a low shot.
RSL players went into the half with their heads down and upset over some poor calls they thought the ref made. Coaches however told the players to keep their heads up and to get ready for another 45 minutes.
RSL dodged a bullet in the 56th minute when two shots by Sounders on a corner hit the crossbar. Minutes later RSL scored when Tigran Tiraturyan took a shot. RSL then equalized minutes later when second half substitute Amer Sasivarevic scored his second goal of the weekend.
The inclusion of Amer Sasivareic and Coco Navarro at the start of the second half was huge for RSL. Navarro, recovering from playing in the RSL reserve game on Saturday, provided the assist on both goals.
Both teams had a few more chances after this but nothing too threatening. RSL tied Sounders, 2-2 giving them 4 points on the weekend.
With the 4 points RSL is now in first place with Real So Cal. RSL leads the tiebreaker with a +26 goal differential versus Real So Cal’s +20 goal differential.