| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
 |
||
Real Fight Off Challenge from DixonDefending champions Real San Juan returned from a short lay off to defeat Dixon Leon 4-0 on a cold late Sunday at Southside Park. The game was typified by two common elements of Real’s game: stout defense and timely finishing.Real began the game with a back four that was missing starters Utodi Madu and captain Marcos Mercado. Fortunately, Real’s depth leaves them with players more than capable of rising to the occasion no matter what the opponent. RSJ welcomed back Art Temblador from injury who took over the captain duties for the game. Historically, Dixon provides tough opposition for Real, with the team from down the I-80 defeating RSJ several times in the playoffs and the regular season. Real knew that their opponents, in combination with a bumpy pitch would make the road to victory arduous. The game began uneventfully as both teams traded possession, but without any real scoring opportunities. Real came close when a slow roller was met by striker Pat Nelle whose shot thundered against the crossbar. Real struck first when winger Eliot Ricks-Chambers won a free kick on the left flank. Jimmy Frazelle’s initial center was blocked but when the ball found his feet again, Frazelle made no mistake with a pinpoint cross that was headed in by striker Oscar Sandoval to put Real up 1-0. Dixon came close to tying the score but ‘keeper Conor McNulty was able to parry the shot wide and out of bounds. The score remained 1-0 into halftime. Real’s young stars Adam Jahn, Adam Owens, Chris Gaschen and Ade Akinsanya were able to find their rhythm on the field, which helped keep Real fresh going into the second half holding a shaky 1-0 advantage. The second half resembled the first with both teams trying to gain footing on the field while creating chances. Real soon put the game away with three goals in the space of fifteen minutes. The first came when Nelle found himself away from the Dixon defenders with a one-on-one with the ‘keeper. With a left-footed strike, the game was now 2-0. Sandoval got his brace when he eluded two Dixon defenders and coolly sent home the third to put the game away as a contest. The final tally was scored by Akinsanya, his first of the season, set up by Gaschen to end the game at 4-0, giving Real a much-needed cushion in the goal difference column. Starting Lineup (4-4-2): McNulty – Martua, Owens, Cazel, Akinsanya – Temblador, Frazelle, Delgado, Ricks-Chambers – Nelle, Sandoval. Substitutions: Bystrowski, Gaschen, Jahn, Mercado, Robinson. Goals: Sandoval (2), Nelle, Akinsanya Man of the Match: Oscar Sandoval |
||
 |
||
