| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
 |
||
Real Relinquish First Place; Battle Aguias to DrawReal Relinquish First Place; Battle Aguias to DrawWhenever Real San Juan and Aguias PSC get together, you can expect a couple trends: low-scoring and intensity. The latest clash between the two sides produced the same intense atmosphere that has come to typify this Red-and-white war. Aguias came into the game unbeaten, looking rejuvenated with the blending of talented youngsters and their old guard led by Martin Sims, Levi Henson and Matt Scammacca in attack and Brian Wiley and Mark Torguson in defense. RSJ came into the game with 13 players suiting up, but a solid 13 nonetheless. Young winger Chris Gaschen made his first appearance in the side and versatile Hugo Brambilla found himself in the centre of defense, partnering Utodi Madu. The first half saw Real with the bulk of possession with Aguias relying on the long punts of Torguson and the movement of Sims and Henson up top. The net of ‘keeper Conor McNulty was safe for most parts of the first interval. In attack, strikers Pat Nelle and Oscar Sandoval came close, but the Aguias net remained empty. Aguias came close in the first half when a glancing header by Sims went just wide of the Real net. As darkness fell, the second half began with a typical intensity that saw tackles flying on both sides, some bordering on the dangerous. The referee found himself the center of controversy when he sent off midfielder Amobi Okugo for a foul that would normally result in a yellow card at the worst. Tempers flared and the incident put both teams on edge for the rest of the match. Real came closest when a thunderous shot by striker Jimmy Frazelle shook the foundation of Southside and the crossbar and to safety. The game looked to be heading toward a 0-0 draw when a cross from Frazelle was just missed by Gaschen with the net gaping. Unfortunately for Real, Cruz Azul defeated Sporting 2-0 to gain sole possession of first place. Starting Lineup (4-4-2): McNulty – Hill, Cazel, Utodi, Bystrowski – Temblador, Frazelle, Delgado, Okugo – Nelle, Sandoval. Substitutions: Brambilla, Gaschen, Tozer Man of the Match: Hugo Brambilla |
||
 |
||
