Real San Juan FC - RSJ Fights Off Feisty Ireland Squad

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Next Match
	v	Academica
May 31st, 3:00 PM Southside Park
Previous Match
	v	Aguias
W 3 - 0


RSJ Fights Off Feisty Ireland Squad Defending CCSL Champions Real San Juan opened their season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over newly-promoted FC Ireland at Southside Park. Ireland, a hard-working side, look to stay up in the Premier Division by adding some new players, most notably, the Utush brothers, Ali John and Rashid. RSJ brings back most of the core players that won the league last year, but have added former Aguias winger Ralph Cazel and former LA Galaxy/Vancouver Whitecaps player John Jones. The game opened with RSJ coming out in a 3-5-2 formation with a back three of Marcos Mercado, Brent Hamilton and Kenyon Hill, holding midfielder Alvaro Delgado behind two playmakers, Art Tremblador and Jones. RSJ enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and created many chances through the speed and skill of strikers Jimmy Frazelle and Pat Nelle. Ireland keeper Tommy Smith did well to make crucial saves. RSJ got on the board at the end of the first half when a corner from Tremblador swerved over the head of Smith and was deflected by an Ireland defender against the underside of the bar. Ireland came out more dangerous in the second half, with Ali John Utush playing a “free” role, supported by midfielder Nick Whitaker. RSJ Goalkeeper Conor McNulty had to make several close range saves to dispel the Ireland attacks. After absorbing early Ireland pressure, RSJ won a free kick from 25 yards out. Jones stepped up, curled the ball over the wall into the right corner of the net, putting RSJ up 2-0. Ireland got on the board late when a free-kick from Whitaker eluded the San Juan wall and nestled into the left corner. Whitaker’s goal caused a late scare for RSJ, but the squad was able to win 2-1 in their opener. Next week, RSJ travels to Stockton to play another newly-promoted side, Buenos Aires.