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 Academica

Club News

Real San Juan

2007-2008 Season in Review

   Yet another successful season is in the books for the Sacramento club, Real San Juan, culminating in the League and Cup double for 2007-2008. For the members of the original squad that first laced up their boots in 2004, this was their fourth consecutive league title, and the 2nd Peri Clark Cup.

   First-team coaches Derek Evans and Ruben Mora, assisted by Tom Boon and Phil Wright, had their work cut out for them this year, trying to motivate a team who at times seemed disinterested, while at the same time attempting to blend in youth players from the San Juan club to make a cohesive unit. Real were bolstered by several new additions to the squad which included former MLS and A-League player John Jones, former California Cougars goalkeeper Dominic Jakubek in addition to former Aguias winger Ralph Cazel and CSUS striker Oscar Sandoval. All four played key roles in Real's success.

   In addition, San Juan youth players Amobi Okugo, Trevor Tennant and returning player Chris Gaschen showed that the future is bright for the club.

   A common theme throughout Real's successful run in the past four years has been a impenetrable defense; this year was no different. RSJ allowed only 25 goals in 22 games for an average of 1.14 per game. Goalkeeper Conor McNulty secured seven clean sheets, while Jakubek, mainly playing as a central midfielder, recorded a clean sheet in his only start. The back four showed strength in depth, with captain Marcos Mercado, Utodi Madu, Todd Simmons, Kenyon Hill, Ralph Cazel, Brent Hamilton, Kyle Navarro and Alexis Maurtua all contributing to a stingy defense.

  The RSJ offense scored 53 goals for the season, putting them fourth best amongst the CCSL. The offense scored five or more goals three times, including an 8-0 win over newcomers Titanes and a 5-0 win over rivals Cruz Azul. Leading the line were strikers Pat Nelle, Jimmy Frazelle, Eliot Ricks-Chambers, Sandoval and Anthony Chimienti.

 RSJ Keep Rivals at Bay

   A key component of the successful season was Real's ability to win against the CCSL's 'Big Clubs', Dixon Leon, Sporting, Aguias, Cruz Azul and Academica. Against these teams, Real were 9-2-1 with defeats coming at home to Dixon and away to Academica. RSJ were able to break their Aguias jinx by defeating the side twice, including a 1-0 win in the semi-finals of the Peri Clark Cup, with only 11 players.

The Turning Point 

  Most would point to a key game in Woodland. After a shock defeat against Titanes and a 0-0 draw against Lincoln, Real returned to the home field of CD Lobos for a game against the surprise team of the league. After dominating the first half and leading 2-1, Lobos exploded for five goals in the second half, leaving the final score at 6-3. Dejected and defeated, Real could have packed it in for the rest of the season with the hope of making noise in the playoffs. Instead the side went on a 11-game unbeaten streak (10 wins) to secure the league and cup double. In the process, they leapfrogged both Aguias and Academica who had games in hand, but suffered slip-ups during the end of the season.

  Real solidified their season with two wins in the playoffs, 1-0 against Aguias and 2-1 in the Final against Academica to secure their 2nd Peri Clark Cup in four years. The final three goals of the season were scored by Nelle, Okugo and Sandoval, the latter being the game-winner in injury time.

  The future looks in good hands for the club Real San Juan who look to defend their title during next year's CCSL season. With a mixture of young stars and seasoned players, San Juan should be the favorites to repeat in the 08-09 season.

CCSL Stars Combine to Take Gold Cup (Click to Read More)

Many of the stars who grace Southside Park on a weekly basis combined to take the Open Division at the SASL Gold Cup this past weekend, defeating Young Guns from Woodland 3-0 in the Final.

Coming into the tournament as co-favorites with defending champions El Salvador, the team, named Arsenal after the team that plays in the Folsom League on Saturdays, was made up of players mostly from Casa Sporting, Real San Juan and Cruz Azul.

Real Do the ‘Double’ (Click to Read More)

It was nothing less than dramatic. Real San Juan, four-time Premier Division Champions capped off a successful season by winning their 2nd Peri Clark Cup in four years, defeating Academica 2-1 at Southside Park.

RSJ player Amobi Okugo Scores Goal to Defeat Portugal (Click to Read More)

Under-18 MNT Tops Host Portugal at Lisbon International  

LISBON, Portugal (May 22, 2008) -- The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team topped host Portugal at the Lisbon International Tournament, as Amobi Okugo scored the game's only goal in the 81st minute.

Lion-Hearted Real Advance to Final (Click to Read More)

A wise man once said, “Nobody remembers beaten semi-finalists”. The direct meaning of this quote is that to lose in a semi-final is to be forgotten as the final two teams take their place. Real San Juan advanced to their second Peri Clark Cup by defeating Aguias 1-0 in the unbearable heat at Southside Park.

RSJ: A Dynasty (Click To Read More)

In the end, it was pure heart and soul. The boys from the Real San Juan soccer club notched its unprecedented, fourth consecutive CCSL league title by escaping a late onslaught from Aguias, that left the score knotted at 2-2.

Real Surges Toward CCSL Title, Defeats Tough Dixon Side (Click To Read More)

Missing both goalkeepers, winger Ndubuisi “Nd” Udenyi was asked to play ‘keeper for a Real team already missing four starters. The starting back four consisted of wing backs Kenyon Hill and Chris Gaschen with Utodi Madu and Alexis Maurtua playing as center-backs. In the midfield Alvaro Delgado and Amobi Okugo took their place in the centre of the midfield with Ralph Cazel.

Real Leave It Late to Defeat FC Ireland (Click to Read More)

Three-time CCSL Champions Real San Juan defeated the Orangevale side FC Ireland 3-2 on Sunday to keep their position atop the Premier Division. Second-place Academica kept the pressure on RSJ with an earlier win against Buenos Aires.

RSJ Keeps Their Winning Streak Alive (Click to Read More)

Real San Juan kept up their winning ways, securing an important 2-1 victory over a feisty Lincoln side on Sunday. With the win, Real makes sure the CCSL title race will come down to the final weeks of the season.

Real Avenges Earlier Loss Against Academica (Click to Read More)

It seems Real San Juan's earlier 6-3 loss to CD Lobos in Woodland has proven to be a turning point in the season. A lesser team would have thrown in the towel on the season, but Real has shown they will not give up their CCSL title without a fight. Since that loss, Real has not lost a game, while giving up only 1 goal in five games.

Wednesday Night Delight Continues for Real (Click to Read More)

Real could get used to playing on Wednesday nights. Playing their second make-up game of the year, Real held off a talented Casa Sporting squad 2-0 in a typically intense match. The win puts Real back in the thick of the title race.