SANDY, Utah – The Real Salt Lake Reserves defeated the Colorado Rapids Reserves 2-0 on Sunday at America First Field. The RSL Reserves now post a 1-0-1 record through its first two matches of the 2014 MLS Reserve League season.
Real Salt Lake got on the scoresheet late in game, going up 1-0 in the 83rd minute through RSL-Arizona Academy FW Nick Jackson. Jackson pounced on a Colorado turnover at the top of the 18-yard box and slotted home a right-footed shot to the far post. RSL went on to double the lead nine minutes later in stoppage time when RSL FW Olmes Garcia made a nice run down the left side of the 18-yard box and finished a left-footed shot to the far post.
Real Salt Lake dominated possession in the first half and despite having the majority of chances, was unable to break through Colorado’s sturdy back line. RSL FW Olmes Garcia got the first opportunity in front of the net in the ninth minute, after MF Sebastian Velasquez sprung FW Robbie Findley down the right flank. Findley sent a low cross into the box which Garcia ran onto and one-timed a shot that went just wide of the net.
Findley, who made his first 2014 appearance for the Claret-and-Cobalt after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason, had a chance to take the lead 13 minutes later. RSL MF John Stertzer sent a nicely hit ball into the box where an open Findley sent a diving header just wide of the net.
Garcia almost struck again for RSL in the 36th minute, hitting a volley from 25-yards out that scarcely skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Colorado was able to get one good look before the halftime whistle. Rapids FW Danny Mwanga managed to work himself into space at the top of the 18-yard box and blasted a shot that narrowly missed the left post.
Real Salt Lake started the second half on the right foot, continuing to threaten in front of the Colorado net and keeping control of the match. RSL was reduced to ten men in the 80th minute after RSL DF Carlos Salcedo received a red card for a late challenge. Despite being a man down, the Claret-and-Cobalt managed to find the back of the net three minutes later. Jackson pounced on a Colorado turnover at the top of the 18-yard box and sent a right-footed shot to the far post that beat Colorado GK John Berner.
In stoppage time, the Rapids were also reduced to ten men after Colorado DF John Neeskens received a second yellow card. Real Salt Lake went on to double its lead shortly after, when RSL-Arizona Academy MF Paul Bin sent Garcia down the left flank. Garcia made a nice run into the 18-yard box and expertly finished a left-footed shot to the far post.
The Real Salt Lake Reserves return to action on Monday, May 26, when it takes on Seattle Sounders FC Reserves at America First Field at 12:00 p.m. MT. The Claret-and-Cobalt continue MLS action this Saturday, May 24, when it hosts FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. at Rio Tinto Stadium. Tickets for the RSL-Dallas contest can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.
REAL SALT LAKE RESERVES 2–0 COLORADO RAPIDS RESERVES
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014
AMERICA FIRST FIELD
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake Reserves 0 2 2
Colorado Rapids Reserves 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Nick Jackson – 83’
RSL – Olmes Garcia – 90’ + 3’
Misconduct Summary:
COL – Jared Watts (Yellow; Foul) – 14’
COL – Thomas Piermayr (Yellow; Foul) – 29’
COL – Jovanni Chavez (Yellow; Foul) – 48’
COL – Brenton Griffiths (Yellow; Foul) – 55’
RSL – Nick Jackson (Yellow; Foul) – 70’
COL – John Neeskens (Yellow; Foul) – 78’
RSL – Carlos Salcedo (Red; Foul) – 80’
COL – John Neeskens (2nd Yellow; Foul) – 90’ + 2’
Stats:
Shots: RSL 16-3 COL
Shots on Goal: RSL 4-2 COL
Saves: RSL 2-1 COL
Fouls: RSL 8-8 COL
Corner Kicks: RSL 4-1 COL
Offside: RSL 1-2 COL
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake Reserves (4-1-2-1-2): Lalo Fernandez; Rich Balchan, Aaron Maund (C), Carlos Salcedo, Abdoulie Mansally; John Stertzer (Kwame Watson-Siriboe, 46’); Luis Gil, Jose Hernandez* (Paul Bin, 85’); Sebastian Velasquez; Robbie Findley (Nick Jackson, 62’), Olmes Garcia
Substitutes not used: Austin Najib (GK), Mikey Orellana
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy Player; Guest Player
Colorado Rapids Reserves (4-4-2): John Berner; Thomas Piermayr, Shane O’Neill (C), Gale Agbossomounde (Kortney Ford, 46’), Brenton Griffiths; Enda O’Neill, Jared Watts, Jovanni Chavez, John Neeskens; Charles Eloundou, Danny Mwanga (Miles Chow, 83’)
Substitutes not used: Conor Gavigan (GK)
*Colorado Rapids Academy Player
Referee: Daniel Radford
Assistant Referees: Brandon Major, Hamed Sadeghi
4th Official: Alex Krelo
