The Real Salt Lake Academy U15s finished the Spring 2022 regular season with three points, defeating Portland Timbers 1-0 despite being down to just 10 men. Defender Jack McCallister netted a stoppage-time goal to secure the three points after a 40 minute weather delay.Â
The two sides began the match trading possession with the majority of the match being played in the middle of the park with neither side seeing clear opportunities. As the half progressed, RSL began to gain control and see chances on frame including in the 33rd minute when midfielder Gilberto Garcia was fouled just outside the box, setting up a free kick for defender Luis Rivera. Rivera curled the ball over the wall, toward the center of goal, but his shot was saved by the Timbers’ goalkeeper. Just before the end of the first half, the match was delayed due to weather safety precautions.Â
Coming out of the weather delay and into the second half, the U15s kept up the pressure, creating multiple chances on the attacking end but were unable to find the net. As the match was coming to a close, the tide nearly turned in Portland’s favor when forward Kevin Hernandez was shown a second yellow card, forcing RSL to finish the match with only 10 men.Â
The U15s were able to overcome the disadvantage and find the late-game winner in the 83rd minute. As time was running out, forward Anthony Ramirez was driving down the right sideline for one last shot on net. Ramirez sprinted from midfield toward the endline before playing a low cross through the center of the box where he found McCallister. McCallister squeezed the ball just past the goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner to secure the 1-0 win for Real Salt Lake.
