RSL Academy U-15 vs Toulouse FC U-15
BRADENTON, FL (April 1, 2023)- The RSL Academy U-15 team looked to get off to a hot start against their Generation adidas Cup opening match opponents, Toulouse FC, but ultimately fell in a shootout.
RSL Academy started on the front foot, keeping Toulouse in their half in the opening minutes. In the 6th minute, Karlos Flores gathered the ball at midfield and slid Armani Haro in behind, where he turned the chance into a shot on goal. A few minutes later, RSL took the lead through Haro. Axel Uriostegui collected a loose clearance at the top of the box and let fly on frame. The Toulouse goalkeeper parried it back into the center of the box where Haro was waiting to lob the ball into the back of the net. RSL was forced into an early change with Linkon Ream replacing Juan Villa.
The start of the second half saw another change, as Flores made way for Khododad Panahi. The French side started stronger in the second half. Will Mackay was forced into making a good save in the 34th minute after Toulouse forced a turnover high up the pitch and quickly turned it into a chance on goal. RSL began to grow into the pace of the game in the 43rd minute when Omar Marquez beat his man down the left flank and centered for Haro, who could not turn the chance into a goal. Head coach Jordan Allen went to his bench once more, bringing on Peter Beyene for Javier Martinez. Haro nearly doubled the lead in the 48th minute, but his shot was saved off the left upright to keep the score 1-0. Toulouse finally brought the game level after winning a set piece in the offensive third. The ball was served in and the goalscorer calmly settled it and fired home to make it 1-1 in the 58th minute.
With the game deadlocked, the teams headed to a shootout to determine who would earn 2 points. The first round saw Haro convert his penalty, while Mackay nearly got a hand to the French attempt. Marquez slotted his opportunity into the back of the net as did the Toulouse penalty taker. Beyene’s attempt in the third round went over the crossbar, giving Toulouse the 3-2 lead. The fourth round was the final round as Luca Moisa saw his shot saved by the keeper, ending the shootout with a final score of 4-2.
RSL Academy Scoring Summary:
Armani Haro 8th minute: Axel Uriostegui forced a save from the Toulouse FC goalkeeper. Armani Haro latched onto the rebound and chipped the keeper.
What’s Next: RSL Academy U-15 team continue their GA Cup campaign on April 2nd facing off against Toronto FC at 7:00 a.m. MDT.
RSL Academy U-17 vs CF Montreal U-17
BRADENTON, FL (April 1, 2023)- The U17s faced off against MLS opponents CF Montreal on day 1 of Generation Adidas Cup and lost, 1-0.
The first half started slowly as both teams tested their opponent cautiously. The only early opportunity came in the 4th minute when Jude Wellings won a free kick after beating his initial defender with a lovely piece of skill. The ball was served in but the Montreal goalkeeper fumbled the ball out of the air. Some frantic defending from Montreal resulted in a clearance. The next big chance came in the 20th minute through Izahi Amparo's free kick. Amparo put his laces through the ball from 25 yards out and forced an impressive save by the keeper.
The second half was more lively, with both sides picking up the intensity. Zavier Gozo generated the first real chance of the second half in the 39th minute. Sprinting past the opposing defender, he slotted a cross along the top of the 6 yard box, but the ball was just too far for the onrushing Amparo. In the 42nd minute, RSL keeper Blake Kelly made a diving save to his left to keep the game even. The very next minute, Wellings was sprung in behind the Montreal defense. He cut back and sent a curling effort to the upper right corner which went just over the crossbar. Head coach Cody Worden looked to his bench for answers, bringing on David Noguera, Gabriel Oksanen, and Dominic Berrios.
In the 52nd minute, the deadlock was broken. A loose ball in the box was laid off to an open Montreal player, who knocked it into the bottom left corner of Kelly's goal. Montreal kept up the pressure, working the ball into the box and finding a wide open player on the back post. Only the heroics of Abokye Bikyeombe's last ditch slide tackle kept the Canadian side from adding to their lead. The last chance of the game fell to Gozo who made some space for himself inside the box and unleashed a left-footed shot that would have beaten the goalkeeper at his near post if not for a sliding challenge from a Montreal defender.
What’s Next: RSL Academy U-17 team play their second GA Cup match on April 2nd against San Jose Earthquakes at 2:30 p.m. MDT.
