RSL Academy U-15 vs Toronto FC U-15
BRADENTON, FL (April 2, 2023)- The RSL Academy U-15 team faced off against Toronto FC in day 2 of Generation adidas Cup play, beating them 1-0 behind Armani Haro’s second goal of the tournament.
After losing a shootout yesterday, the U-15 squad came out of the gates intense and determined. Head coach Jordan Allen had his forwards pressing high, and the pressure paid off. Omar Marquez earned a freekick 27 yards out in the 3rd minute. His shot flew over the wall and looked to be goal bound, but the Toronto goalkeeper made a tremendous save by diving down to his left. In the 17th minute RSL’s pressure nearly paid off again with a flurry of chances fell to Marquez, Armani Haro, and Luca Moisa. In the 24th minute, RSL earned a freekick just outside Toronto’s box. Moisa served the ball in, and Haro rose highest to redirect the ball into the back of the net.
Karlos Flores exited the match after the break for Peter Beyene. The second half began the same as the first, with RSL on the front foot. Only 30 seconds into the half, Haro burst through the heart of the Toronto defense going one–on–one with the goalkeeper, but could not turn the chance into a brace. Much like the first half, Toronto began to assert themselves offensively. Goalkeeper Will Mackay was called into action in the 44th minute, getting down sharply to his right to preserve the lead. Allen once again went to his bench, bringing on Lorenzo Tuch, Isaac Murphy, and Van Parker, replacing Axel Uriostegui, Javier Martinez, and goal scorer Haro. In the dying minutes of the match, Mackay pulled off a double save to maintain the clean sheet. Toronto rifled a low shot to the bottom right corner of the goal, but saw their effort parried by Mackay’s right foot. The rebound fell to the feet of a Toronto player who took aim at the upper right corner. Only Mackay’s rapid recovery kept the Canadian side off the score sheet, giving RSL all 3 points.
RSL Academy Scoring Summary:
Armani Haro 24th minute: Luca Moisa served a free kick from the right side of Toronto’s 18 yard box. Armani Haro rose highest and was able to direct his header beyond the Toronto goalkeeper into the net.
What’s Next: RSL Academy U-15 team finish the group stage of GA Cup on April 3 against Cincinnati FC at 7:00 a.m. MDT.
RSL Academy U-17 vs San Jose Earthquakes U-17
BRADENTON, FL (April 2, 2023)- On day 2 of Generation adidas Cup play, the U-17 squad’s opponent was San Jose Earthquakes. Despite a bright start from RSL, San Jose’s physical and aggressive play style propelled them to 3 points.
In the 9th minute, Jude Wellings got the first chance of the game. He received a pass from Zavier Gozo at the top of the box and launched a curler at the upper right corner which flew over the crossbar. Gozo’s pressing caused problems for the San Jose defense, leading to the second real chance. Latching onto a poor clearance, Gozo ran past the defenders and played a ball across the box but was unable to find a teammate in the box. During the play, a late challenge on Gozo would force him to exit the match early due to injury; Anthony Ramirez replaced him in the 18th minute. Without Gozo’s relentless press, San Jose was able to settle into the game. In the 21st minute, a missed slide tackle allowed a San Jose forward to go one-on-one with Blake Kelly who was unable to keep the shot out of the net. RSL’s bad luck continued in the 24th minute, when a clearance deflected off Abokye Bikyeombe and fell to a San Jose player who slotted home past Kelly.
To begin the second half, Jah’mani Stapleton replaced Gershon Henry. The U-17’s came out of the break with renewed intensity. In the 39th minute, Gilberto Garcia received a pass from Cayne Madhlangove, cut in onto his left, and tried to pick out the far corner but saw his effort fly wide. Garcia then nearly turned provider in the 41st minute when his curling cross nearly found the head of Wellings inside the 6 yard box. Unfortunately, the U-17’s suffered another injury, this time to Luis Rivera who was forced off. Gabriel Oksanen took his spot on the left side of the defense, while Garcia also made way for Dominic Berrios. In the 51st minute, San Jose put the nail in the coffin, bringing down a long ball over the top and then combining through the core of the RSL defense to score their third.
What’s Next: RSL Academy U-17 team will wrap up the group stage on April 3, 2023 against Brazilian opponents Flamengo at 2:30 p.m. MDT.
