WESTFIELD, Ind. – The weather proved to be Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17/18’s toughest opponent on Tuesday, as a sudden downpour of rain in the second half shifted the momentum of the game. With a 4-1 half time lead, RSL-AZ managed to barely hang on for a 4-3 win to stay alive for their final group game on Thursday against Seattle Sounders FC U-17/18.

RSL-AZ’s Eric Carbajal, suspended for the team’s first match against Indiana Fire Academy U-17/18 due to a red card, stepped onto the field eager to make up for lost time. In the 3rd minute, he received the ball 10 yards from goal and scored to give RSL-AZ an early 1-0 lead.

“Coming up and seeing [the team] play yesterday, I really wanted to get in the game,” said Carbajal. “I felt bad because I got the red and let my team down, so I wanted to come out and show that I’m here to play and ready to win these games for playoffs.”

Less than two minutes later Concorde Fire struck back, working the ball to team leading goal scorer Cameron Moseley, who clinically finished to even up the game at 1-1.

RSL-AZ continued on the attack, eventually taking back the lead in the 13th minute when Jose Hernandez, 20 yards from the goal, passed the ball in to Carbajal who finished to the near post to notch his second goal of the day. In the 22nd minute, the RSL-AZ midfield fired a pass that cut through the Concorde Fire defense and found Sam Gleadle, who scored to double RSL-AZ’s lead at 3-1.

The assault on goal continued in the 35th minute when Corey Baird jumped on a poor defensive clearance and passed in to Carbajal, who scored once more to complete the first half hat trick. RSL-AZ would take the 4-1 lead into half time, feeling confident about the upcoming second half.

In the 60th minute, the rain began to fall. Minus a few short breaks, it continued to pour for the remainder of the second half, adding a slippery surface to an already unpredictable pitch.

Concorde Fire U-17/18 took advantage of the change in conditions, forcing the ball to Moseley deep inside the RSL-AZ box. He scored once again, trimming the RSL-AZ lead down to two with just over 15 minutes left to play. In the 84th minute, the Fire scored once again, putting RSL-AZ one conceded goal away from elimination in the playoffs.

Despite several dangerous scoring opportunities in the waning moments of the match, RSL-AZ managed to hold on and secure the three points with a 4-3 win, staying alive for at least one more game in the 2013-14 US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs.

“We came out strong with one-two passes, we played together as a team, as one, and hopefully Thursday we can come out again and get another three points and pass on to the next round,” said Carbajal.

With the win, Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy force a decisive final group game against Seattle Sounders FC U-17/18. That game will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 am on Field 6 at Grand Park. RSL-AZ will need a win in order to win Group H and advance to the next round of playoffs. Earlier this season, RSL-AZ U-17/18 drew Seattle Sounders FC U-17/18 2-2 at Grande Sports World.

Click here for Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy’s complete playoff schedule. Click here for a breakdown of all of the teams that RSL-AZ U-15/16 and U-17/18 will be facing this week in Indiana.

Group H Wins Draws Losses Points Goals For Goals Against
Seattle Sounders FC U-17/18 2 0 0 6 13 0
Real Salt Lake-Arizona U-17/18 1 1 0 4 5 4
Indiana Fire Academy U-17/18 0 1 1 1 1 5
Concorde Fire U-17/18 0 0 2 0 3 13

Scoring Summary

Concorde Fire U-17/18

5’ – Cameron Moseley
73’ – Cameron Moseley
84’ – Jonathan Jarrett

Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17/18

3’ – Eric Carbajal
13’ – Eric Carbajal
22’ – Sam Gleadle
35’ – Eric Carbajal

Lineups

Concorde Fire U-17/18

Connor Behrend
Aris Briggs
Tyler Dowse
Christian Duncan (Grayson Dupont, 63’)
Grant Dupertuis
Tyler Hudson
Jonathan Jarrett
Daniel Johnston
Jake Mezei (Jonathan Min, 52’)
Cameron Moseley
Deandre Robinson

Unused Substitutes: Allen Capo

Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17/18

Corey Baird (Gui Leme, 70’)
Chase Bishov
Eric Carbajal (Leo Fuchs, 70’)
Jack Gayton
Damian German (Luis Lopez, 70’)
Justen Glad
Sam Gleadle (Grant Livingston, 46’)
Jose Hernandez
Erik Holt
Te Wihongi
Dillon Nino

Unused Substitutes: Luis Barraza, DJ Villegas

Discipline

Concorde Fire U-17/18

Yellow – Aris Briggs
Yellow – Grant Dupertuis
Yellow – Jonathan Min

Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17/18

None

GDPR