AVONDALE, Ariz. – A weekend of mixed results against top competition was highlighted by Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-18’s 5-0 win over USA United to further cement their place at the top of the Arizona State League standings.
Sereno 1-0 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16
At Friendship Park in Avondale, RSL-AZ Elite U-16 took on first place Sereno in hopes of notching a win and pulling within one point of the league leaders.
After a strong opening ten minutes from the Claret-and-Cobalt, Sereno slowly found their form and worked their way back into the game. Chances were hard to come by for both sides and the game entered half time in a 0-0 deadlock.
In the 42nd minute, Sereno grabbed a goal against the run of play, lobbing a ball up field to their striker whose shot bounced in front of keeper Gage Rogers and in for the 1-0 lead.
After the opening goal, RSL-AZ Elite U-16 struggled to find their attacking touch and Sereno managed to escape with the 1-0 win.
Tucson Soccer Academy 3-0 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-17
Down at Udall Park in Tucson, RSL-AZ Elite U-17 faced off against the first place team in their State League group, Tucson Soccer Academy.
TSA showed why they’re the first place team in State League, putting in three goals against RSL-AZ in a solid 3-0 shutout win.
USA United 0-5 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-18
Under the lights at Friendship Park, league leaders RSL-AZ Elite U-18 faced off against USA United in search of a win to continue to stay ahead of the red-hot Arizona Hammers.
The Claret-and-Cobalt started on fire, opening the scoring in the second minute thanks to an Andres Lopez goal.
In the 27th minute, Andres Lopez doubled the lead, beating his defender down the right wing, cutting inside and clinically finishing around the keeper with his left foot for the 2-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, Judah Rashirai beat the offside trap for a one-on-one with the keeper who he easily shot past for a commanding 3-0 half time lead.
In the 67th minute, the RSL-AZ midfield played Martin Lopez in behind the defense and Lopez scored on a great shot, chipping the helpless United keeper to extend the lead to four.
Judah Rashirai finished off the game with ten minutes left to play, scoring at the back post from the left side of the 18-yard box for the 5-0 lead and dominant RSL-AZ Elite U-18 win.
Next weekend, Real Salt Lake-Arizona Elite U-16 face Excel Soccer Academy on Saturday, November 11 at 11:45 a.m. on Scottsdale Sports Complex Field 2, followed by RSL-AZ Elite U-17 versus SC Del Sol at 3:10 p.m. on Fear Farm Sports Complex Field 3.
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