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Real Begin Their Title Defense in Style

Four-time defending CCSL Champions Real San Juan began their title defense in some style, by dominating FC Ireland 6-0 at Southside Park on Sunday afternoon. The pitch at Southside matched the silky smooth play of the champions as they took the match to FCI from start to finish.

RSJ welcomed back the core of last year’s championship team and added some new pieces including Hugo Brambilla and the Utush brothers, Rashid and Ali John. The team started goalkeeper Conor McNulty in net with the centre-back partnership of Todd Simmons and Kyle Navarro with Ralph Cazel and Kenyon Hill as wing backs. Young star Amobi Okugo and Alvaro Delgado (back from a stint in Mexican League) started in the engine room, flanked by Art Temblador and Rashid Utush. Up front, the usual pairing of Pat Nelle and Jimmy Frazelle.

Real had the freedom of the park early on in the game and struck first when a move started by Temblador and Hill found the feet of Nelle, whose cross-pass found Frazelle who shook one defender and slotted the ball in the net to begin the scoring. FCI rarely troubled the RSJ back four and McNulty throughout the first half. Real then showed their true depth and brought on several new players. One of those new faces, Alexis Maurtua announced his arrival with a coolly slotted shot from the right wing that eluded the FCI ‘keeper and struck off a post. Real ended the first half on a high note when a through ball found the foot of Temblador who struck a sweet shot into the upper corner to make the score 3-0; it realistically could have been six or seven by halftime.

The second half began no better for FCI who were on the back foot from the beginning. Real brought on captain Marcos Mercado to take his usual spot in the back and moved Ali John Utush from centre-back to central midfield to partner Okugo. Wing back Tim Bystrowski came on at wing back and Eliot Ricks-Chambers was also brought on. Real thoroughly dominated the second half, stringing passes together with ease.

The scoring began with Maurtua who got his brace with his second goal, followed by a mazy run by Simmons from centre-back finished when he rounded the ‘keeper and slotted the ball in the net. Real finished the scoring at six when Rashid Utush scored his first goal for the club and ended FCI’s misery at six.

Starting Lineup (4-4-2) McNulty – Cazel, Simmons, Navarro, Hill – Okugo, Delgado, Temblador, R.Utush – Nelle, Frazelle.

Substitutions: Maurtua, Bystrowski, A.J. Utush, Brambila, Ricks-Chambers, Mercado.

Man of the Match: Maurtua