| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
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Nelle Brace Keeps Real in Title RacePat Nelle’s two goals against San Jose, including an impromptu bicycle kick, kept Real San Juan in the title race with Academica. Real came into the game needing a win to keep pace with the Turlock side and to shake off the cobwebs following their 1-1 draw with Santa Rosa last week.With several of Real’s young stars away from Sacramento, Real relied on their veteran core to take charge of proceedings. Captain Marcos Mercado and center-back partner Brent Hamilton returned to the defense, but Mercado’s appearance was made short due to injury. Without missing a beat, defender Adam Owens moved into the center of defense and Real kept yet another clean sheet. Real enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and had several chances including two shots that hit the woodwork from midfielder Dominik Jakubek who was playing the role of attacking midfielder, just in front of Alvaro Delgado. Real’s first goal came in around the 35th minute when good work by winger Eliot Ricks-Chambers on the left led to a good cross that found Nelle in the box who slotted the ball home to make the score 1-0. As Real relaxed, San Jose pounced and should have tied the score, if not for a key save by ‘keeper Conor McNulty. The half ended at 1-0, not an indication of Real’s dominance. With RSJ only having two substitutes, the bulk of the squad were asked to play 80-90 minutes, but the team kept their composure. The second goal came when a cross from the left flank found Jimmy Frazelle on the right side, who, after keeping possession crossed a high ball that Nelle met with an audacious overhead kick that found its way into the net to give Real some breathing room at 2-0. Once again San Jose, who’s youth always poses a problem found itself dangerous on the counter when Real failed to track back properly. The defense held firm however. Real’s opportunity to go up three seemed a certainty when striker Oscar Sandoval was fouled in the box to set up a penalty. Unfortunately, Sandoval’s shot was anticipated by the San Jose ‘keeper who dove right for the save. All in all, a good win against a tricky San Jose side and sets up a crucial title-decider against Academica next week in Turlock. Starting Lineup: (4-4-2): McNulty – Bystrowski, Mercado, Hamilton, Owens – Maurtua, Jakubek, Delgado, Simmons – Frazelle, Nelle. Substitutions: Ricks-Chambers, Robinson, Sandoval Goals: Nelle (2) Man of the Match: Pat Nelle |
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