PARK CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16 travelled to Utah for the opening fixtures of Far West Regional League play, a trio of games against USA Premier, Forza FC and La Roca.
USA Premier 2-1 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16
In their opening match of FWRL play, the Claret-and-Cobalt were faced with a tough test against last year’s Utah State Champions: USA Premier.
USA Premier showed their quality early, taking a 2-0 lead into the half time break. Early in the second half, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia was brought down in the Premier box, leading to a penalty kick goal for Josh Allison to bring the deficit back to one.
RSL-AZ Elite U-16 created numerous goal scoring opportunities through the rest of the game in an effort to earn a draw, but none of the shots could be converted in what would end up being a 2-1 loss.
Forza FC 5-2 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16
Fresh off seeing Real Salt Lake’s 5-1 win and Carlos Salcedo’s first professional goal against the Colorado Rapids, RSL-AZ Elite U-16 entered day two of FWRL play eager to get a positive result against Forza FC.
In the tenth minute, Kyle Hellmann opened the scoring for RSL-AZ, helping them to an early 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, Forza FC equalized on a set piece to bring the game back even.
Suraphael Mbonisi reclaimed the lead for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 21st minute, but Forza FC once again equalized in the 30th minute to take a 2-2 lead into half time.
Forza took over in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals, two of which came from set pieces, to secure a 5-2 win against RSL-AZ.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16 2-1 La Roca
RSL-AZ Elite U-16 faced their toughest competition of the weekend in their final game in Utah against La Roca, the former club of RSL-AZ players such as Danny Acosta, Adolfo “Fito” Ovalle and Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo.
Following a scoreless first half, the Claret-and-Cobalt claimed the lead in the 60th minute from a Moises Durazo goal. La Roca struck back in the 74th minute to level the game at 1-1 with just over five minutes to play.
In the 78th minute, “Chuy” Garcia scored the game winner to give RSL-AZ the 2-1 win and a well-deserved three points at the end of a tough week of play.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16 return to action on Saturday, October 4 in Arizona State League play, when they’ll take on United Latinos at 12:55 p.m. on Quail Run Sports Complex Field 4.