| Next Match | ||
| v | Academica |
| May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park | ||
| Previous Match | ||
| v | Aguias |
| W 3 - 0 | ||
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Real Remains UndefeatedReal maintained their perfect record by defeating San Jose 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Southside. The win, alongside Cruz Azul’s 4-0 defeat of FC Ireland,left both teams tied in first place, with Real ahead on goal difference.Real welcomed back longtime defender Brent Hamilton from suspension to join his usual center-back partner, captain Marcos Mercado. Their opponent, San Jose, have a young squad and historically have given Real problems. The first half began with Real dominating possession with midfielders Amobi Okugo and Alvaro Delgado dictating play early. The San Jose ‘keeper was tested early, but unfortunately for Real, the score remained 0-0. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when a opportune deflection let striker Pat Nelle one-time his volley into the net past a frozen San Jose ‘keeper to put Real up 1-0 and giving Nelle his 5th goal of the year. Real figured to go 2-0 up when a handball in the box from a San Jose defender gave the home side a penalty kick. To the relief of the visiting side, Ali John Utush’s penalty was saved by the ‘keeper who stretched down to his right to put glove to ball. A frustrated Real side felt that a 1-0 halftime score was not an indication of their possession or chances, but San Jose’s defense did not make the task easy. The second half began with more promise and Real put the game away when aggressive defending by striker Rashid Utush paid off when he was able to strip a San Jose defender and slot the ball past the ‘keeper’s right to end the Real scoring. It was thought that the game was over as a contest, but San Jose continued to press forward and were gifted several golden opportunities by the Real defense. A slow backpass led to a one-on-one with ‘keeper McNulty, who came out on top stopping a shot a point blank range. Real also came close when a powerful shot from Delgado was parried around the post by the San Jose ‘keeper to keep the game at 2-0. Next up for Real is a re-match of last year’s Peri Clark Cup Final, with Academica of Turlock who were defeated by Dixon Leon 3-1. Starting Lineup (4-4-2): McNulty – Hill, Hamilton, Mercado, Madu – R.Utush, Delgado, Okugo, Martua – Frazelle, Nelle. Substitutions: A.J. Utush, Akinsanya, Bystrowski, Cazel, Tozer Man of the Match: McNulty |
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