CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Real Salt Lake finished up its first leg of preseason training on Saturday, playing a 60-minute intra-squad match at Grande Sports World before leaving the home of the RSL-Arizona Academy for the Phoenix airport and, eventually, Salt Lake City.
RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar split the Claret-and-Cobalt into two squads for the match, putting most of RSL’s available regulars on the White team and putting Real Salt Lake’s reserves and some Academy players on the blue team. The Blue team won the match, taking the lead about halfway through the first half when defender Aaron Maund slotted home a penalty kick. Forward Olmes Garcia – who was one of several players to switch sides in the second half – earned the PK when he was brought down in the box.
The White team controlled the rest of the game, holding the majority of possession and creating numerous chances. They weren’t able to find a finish however, with goalkeeper Jeff Attinella turning in a fine performance – which included a save on a Javier Morales PK, again earned by Garcia – to keep the clean sheet.
Real Salt Lake will arrive back in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon, remaining in the Beehive State until Tuesday, when the Claret-and-Cobalt will head to Irvine, Calif. for its second of three preseason training camps.
