RSL Academy U-15 vs Arsenal FC U-15
BRADENTON, FL (April 8, 2023)- In the penultimate match of the week, the RSL Academy U-15 team took the pitch against Arsenal FC. RSL Academy took the lead in the 3rd minute, but Arsenal responded twice to take the lead going into the break. A last minute goal by RSL Academy brought the game level and forced a shootout from which RSL Academy emerged victorious 6-4.
RSL Academy looked refreshed after getting a rest the day before. Omar Marquez struck in the 3rd minute, receiving a ball over the top from Luca Moisa. The Arsenal keeper made the initial save, but Marquez finished the rebound. The London-based side responded quickly through a freekick in the 9th minute. The taker swung the ball into the box and an Arsenal player headed home to bring the score level. RSL Academy continued to attack, generating chance after chance, but could not find the back of the net. In the 30th minute, a giveaway in the defensive third followed by a finish to goalkeeper Will Mackay’s right gave Arsenal the lead going into the break.
Arsenal used their first half momentum to generate a chance in the 31st minute of the second half. Only Mackay’s right boot kept them from doubling the lead. In the 40th minute, the Arsenal goalkeeper was sent off for intentionally handling the ball outside of the area. On the resultant freekick, Marquez’s powerful shot skimmed the outside of the left upright. In the 56th minute, a series of failed clearances saw the ball fall to Moisa in the box who rattled the underside of the crossbar. Moisa notched his second assist of the game in the 59th minute, his corner kick finding the head of Javier Martinez who converted the chance. The game then headed to a shootout.
RSL Academy shot first; Javier Ruelas calmly slotting his opportunity into the bottom left corner of the net. Mackay came up with a great save on the Arsenal attempt diving to his right. The second round resulted in goals for both sides, Axel Uriostegui converting his attempt high to the right corner. Marquez saw his penalty saved by the Arsenal keeper. Arsenal converted their chance bringing the score level. Isaac Murphy finished his opportunity emphatically, ripping a shot into the upper right corner of the net, while Arsenal also scored. Peter Beyene kept the scoring streak going in style, putting a panenka right down the middle, sending the keeper to his right. Arsenal scored to keep the shootout going in sudden death. Van Parker knocked his penalty into the net, and Mackay came up huge yet again, giving RSL the victory.
RSL Academy Goal Scoring Summary:
Omar Marquez 3rd minute: Moisa found Marquez over the top who went one-on-one with the Arsenal goalkeeper. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but Marquez finished the rebound.
Javier Martinez 59th minute: Martinez put his header low to the goalkeeper’s right side off a corner kick from Moisa.
What’s Next: The U-15 team will wrap up the week against Houston Dynamo FC on April 9 at 7:00 a.m. MDT.
RSL Academy U-17 vs Inter Miami CF U-17
BRADENTON, FL (April 8, 2023)- The U-17 team faced Eastern Conference opponent Inter Miami CF in their second-to-last match of GA Cup. Neither side was able to generate much offense and the teams played to a 0-0 draw that was decided in a shootout. Inter Miami claimed the win, 4-3.
A scrappy first half did not yield many chances for either side. Both teams struggled to get into their opponents’ box, and as a result resorted to long distance efforts and speculative crosses. Jude Wellings created the first opportunity for himself, beating his man one-on-one and firing a left footed shot from well outside the 18 yard box, missing wide right. In the 27th minute, Gilberto Garcia found Anthony Ramirez running in behind the defenders, but Ramirez was unable to keep his shot on frame.
The second half brought more chances than the first as both teams settled into the match. The first RSL Academy chance came from Owen Anderson who drove down the spine of Miami’s defense and fired high over the goal. The U-17 team kept up the pressure, not allowing Miami to get out of their half, but in the final 10 minutes, Inter nearly struck twice. In the 54th minute, goalkeeper Lucas Russo’s strong right hand parried away a shot from distance, and in the 62nd minute, Russo smothered another Miami chance down to his left. The game ended at 0-0 and both teams lined up in the center circle for a shootout.
Izahi Amparo took the first shot and buried it, as did the Miami player. Next up, Gabriel Oksanen tried to pick out the top corner, but barely missed wide, as did the Miami player. In the third round, both sides scored, David Noguera converting his shot. Josiah Martinez stepped up to the mark, but his attempt was saved by the Inter keeper. The Miami player scored his opportunity, giving Miami the advantage. In the final round, Gershon Henry converted, but Miami player was able to score as well. The shootout ended 4-3.
What’s Next: The U-17 team finishes their week against Charlotte FC on April 9 at 2:00 p.m. MDT.
