BEAVERTON, Ore. – Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy sits in third place out of six teams in Generation Adidas Cup qualifying after a draw against San Jose and a win versus Chivas USA in the first round of group stage fixtures.
Sandwiched between the win and draw was a 4-0 friendly victory against the LA Galaxy, with goals from McKay Eves (2), Innocent Twishime and Erik “Gallo” Virgen.
San Jose Earthquakes 2 (6)-(5) 2 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17
In the opening game of the weekend, Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17 took on the San Jose Earthquakes in a rematch of last year’s USSDA U-15/16 quarterfinals, a 1-0 win for the Claret-and-Cobalt at Grande Sports World.
A slow start for RSL-AZ resulted in two goals for San Jose in the first half, with the Earthquakes scoring in the 33rd and 34th minutes.
Just before half time, a penalty kick for RSL-AZ was buried by Kris Fourcand to cut the deficit down to one at the break.
In the 68th minute, Fourcand netted his second goal on a great individual effort to even the game up at two goals each.
The game remained tied at two at the end of full time, taking the game straight to penalty kicks to determine which team would take an extra point in the GA Cup standings.
The Earthquakes took the win in the eighth round of the shootout, forcing RSL-AZ to settle for only one point from their first game of the competition.
Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17 1-0 Chivas USA
Looking for a win and three points to finish the weekend on a high note, RSL-AZ U-17 were eager to repeat September’s win against Chivas USA in this group stage game.
In an uneventful first half, neither team did much in terms of challenging the opposition’s goal and the game went into half time locked in a scoreless draw.
In the 49th minute, Max Yanakaev delivered a great cross into Robby Orona who finished off the effort to give the Claret-and-Cobalt a vital 1-0 lead.
Just past the hour mark, a Chivas USA player was sent off with a red card, giving RSL-AZ a man advantage for the remainder of the game.
RSL-AZ was able to hold onto their lead, taking the 1-0 win and the three points back home at the end of a successful trip to Oregon.
Generation Adidas Cup qualifiers conclude over President’s Day weekend in February as Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17 will finish up the group against the LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC.
This weekend, Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy resumes U.S. Soccer Development Academy play against the LA Galaxy, hosting the reigning U-15/16 National Champions at Grande Sports World on Saturday, October 18 alongside “Grande Sports Academy Kicks for the Cure”. RSL-AZ U-17/18 kicks off at 10:00 a.m. followed by the U-15/16 teams at 12:30 p.m. on Field 7.