Real San Juan FC - Utush Brothers Pace RSJ to Victory Over Lincoln

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Utush Brothers Pace RSJ to Victory Over Lincoln

Real San Juan needed some last minute heroics from AJ and Rashid Utush to remain undefeated in CCSL Premier League play. At kick-off, RSJ started with only newly signed goalkeeper John Tozer on the subsitutes' bench. The backline consisted of Utodi Madu, AJ Utush, Alexis Maurtua and Todd Simmons. Eliot Ricks-Chambers, Hugo Brambilla, Rashid Utush, and Chris Gaschen started in the midfield with Jimmy Frazelle and Pat Nelle up top.

The combination of the small field, strong wind and the hustle of a feisty Lincoln side caused problems for RSJ in the first half. In the tenth minute, Lincoln scored first when their crafty, diminutive forward got behind left back Utodi Madu and flicked a glancing header that beat an outstretched Conor McNulty. RSJ struggled to find their rhythm, but was able to create several quality opportunities. Pat Nelle and Jimmy Frazelle both had quality opportunities turned away by the Lincoln goalkeeper. Marcos Mercado arrived five minutes before the half with fresh legs to boost a back line weary from playing into the wind for forty minutes.

RSJ greeted the second half with energy and rhythm. Playing with the wind at their backs, RSJ opted to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2. The RSJ midfield of Ricks-Chambers, Brambilla, AJ Utush and Frazelle and Gaschen won the battle for territory in the midfield. The Lincoln attack rarely threatened as RSJ pinned them in their own half. Oscar Sandoval was introduced in the 60th minute adding more firepower to an already potent RSJ attack. Hugo Brambilla struck a rocket shot that appeared to be the equalizer only to be denied by the Lincoln 'keeper.

In the 75th minute, Pat Nelle came off the bench and made an immediate impact. After sitting out most of the half with an ailing knee, Nelle received a ball on the left side of the Lincoln penalty box. With his back to the goal, Nelle attempted to turn and the Lincoln defender sensing he was beat, fouled Nelle from behind. AJ Utush converted the penalty kick to tie the game 1 - 1. Not satisfied with the single away point, RSJ pressed on. The game winning goal came in the 87th minute when Rashid Utush punished the Lincoln defenders for turning the ball over in their own third. Rashid intercepted an errant pass and calmly slotted his shot into the right side of the Lincoln goal to secure three points for RSJ. Up next for RSJ is newly promoted Acoreanos Sunday, 2:00 PM at Southside Park.

Starting Lineup (4-4-2) McNulty – Madu, A.J. Utush, Maurtua. Simmons – Ricks-Chambers, R. Utush, Brambilla, Gaschen – Nelle, Frazelle.

Substitutions: Mercado, Sandoval.

Man of the Match: R. Utush