| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
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Real Beats Academica with 10 players (Again)Real defeated Academica 2 - 1 in Turlock last Sunday to earn three valuable away points. Real began the game in fine form with crisp passes on the superb Academica pitch. Academica must be commended for maintaining a playing surface of such quality. One can only dream of such quality at Southside park. Todd Simmons continued his hot goal-scoring streak when he flicked a Don Ribaudo free-kick over the top of the Academica keeper in the fourth minute of the match to give Real a 1 - 0 lead. For the next twenty minutes, the dynamic and creative Real midfield was able to keep possession and generate numerous scoring chances. Keith Gilbert and Alvaro Delgado regularly streaked down the flanks and to serve many dangerous balls into the Academica box. The Academica defenders proved to be quite physical and the Academica keeper came up with several big saves. The center referee significantly altered the game when he hastily sent Don Ribaudo off for an alleged "hand ball" in the box. Adolfo Gregorio converted the penalty kick to tie the game at 1. A frustrated Real went into the halftime break looking for answers. Playing with 10 players was deja vu for those who made the Turlock trip last year. Despite missing two penalty kicks, Real was victorious last year when they traveled to Turlock with only ten players.The second half began with both teams creating chances and failing to convert. Adolfo Gregorio proved to be the most dangerous player for Academica. Jimmy Frazelle, Ryan Rhoads and Patrick Nelle were all denied by the Academica keeper who continued to make big saves. Real's defense consisting of Kenyon Hill, Marcos Mercado, Brent Hamilton, Utodi Madu and Conor McNulty were solid in the back. It was hard to tell that Real was playing one player short the entire second half. Academica appeared to be content to sit back and defend for extended periods of time. Real's skill and effort were finally rewarded when Patrick Nelle spun an Academica defender who had no choice but to commit a foul in the Academica box resulting in a penalty kick. Marcos Mercado calmly converted the penalty kick to give Real the 2 - 1 lead. Academica turned up the intensity for the final ten minutes, but was unable to equalize. Real enter the Holiday break in first place with a record of 8 - 2. Real's next CCSL game is away versus Premier newcomers Titanes on January 7th. Titanes is coming off a big 4 - 2 victory over AC Cruz Azul. Real is also playing an exhibition game versus the San Juan Thunder U-18 team this Friday, December 22nd at Kemp Field in Folsom. Kick-off is at 7:00 PM. Happy Holidays from Real San Juan! |
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