RSL Academy U-17 vs Kalonji Soccer Academy U-17
Boyds, MD (May 14, 2023) - The U-17 team earned all three points on MLS NEXT Flex day two, brushing aside Georgia side Kalonji Soccer Academy. Jude Wellings, Brice Miller, and Anthony Ramirez all found the back of the net on the way to a 3-0 win.
Coming off a shutout win against NYCFC, RSL Academy began the game with confidence and poise. The early minutes were dominated by RSL who nearly took the lead in the 10th minute. Gilberto Garcia cut in from the left and forced the keeper into a save. Miller tried to knock in the follow up but was denied by the keeper again. The opening goal arrived six minutes later through Wellings. Gabriel Oksanen switched the field to Garcia who drove down the right side of the box and cut the ball back to Wellings who fired home from close range. Blake Kelly came up with a massive save on a one-on-one in the 26th minute to preserve the lead. Miller notched his second goal of the weekend in the 43rd minute. A freekick sent to the back post found its way back into the middle at Miller’s feet. He controlled and then knocked it past the KSA goalkeeper.
The second half played out much the same as the first ad RSL continued to maintain possession through the composure of Wellings, Abokye Bikyeombe, and Izahi Amparo in the midfield. The high press of RSL ensured that whenever possession was lost, the ball was won back quickly and efficiently. The pressure paid off in the 66th minute when Anthony Ramirez found the back of the net. Bikyeombe found Ramirez down a channel on the right flank, who then cut inside and smashed it past the keeper with his left foot. Substitute Owen Anderson almost added his name to the scoresheet with a cheeky chip but for a fantastic reaction save from the KSA goalkeeper kept the score at 3-0.
RSL Academy Goal Scoring Summary
Jude Wellings (Gilberto Garcia) 16th minute: Gabriel Oksanen found Gilberto Garcia on the opposite wing, who then drove down the right flank and cut the ball back to Jude Wellings who converted the chance.
Brice Miller 43rd minute: Izahi Amparo served a ball to the back post where a cluster of jumping players caused the ball to drop back into the middle. Brice Miller was on the spot to take control of the ball and knock it past the goalkeeper.
Anthony Ramirez (Abokye Bikyeombe) 66th minute: Abokye Bikyeombe threaded a ball down the right side of the field to Anthony Ramirez. Ramirez cut in onto his left and fired a powerful left footed shot past the helpless goalkeeper.
What’s Next: In the final match of MLS NEXT Flex play, the U-17 team will play against Minnesota United FC at 6:30 a.m. MDT on May 16.
RSL Academy U-15 vs Real Colorado U-15
Boyds, MD (May 14, 2023) - RSL Academy U-15s played familiar opponents on day two, facing regional foe Real Colorado. Another dominant performance from the U-15s resulted in a 4-0 win behind goals from Linkon Ream, Armani Haro, Axel Uriostegui, and Omar Marquez.
Early goals have proven to be decisive at the Maryland Soccerplex as RSL Academy took the lead in the 11th minute through Ream. Javier Ruelas pulled the ball back in the right corner and laid it off to Moisa for a first-time cross. Ream was waiting on the back post to execute a brilliant scissor-kick and give RSL the lead. Moisa tallied his second assist of the game in the 26th minute. Haro rose highest to meet Moisa’s corner kick and put the ball over the line. In the 38th minute, Haro thought he had gotten his brace on a nearly identical corner kick sequence, but a foul in the box saw the goal called back.
Coming out of the break, RSL kept up the intensity. Just two minutes into the second period, Juan “Gio” Villa broke free down the left wing and crossed to Haro, who then laid it off to Uriostegui. Taking a touch to settle the ball, Uriostegui shot hard to the goalkeeper’s right, who got a hand to the shot but could not do enough to keep it out. The match was put to bed in the 45th minute. Marquez stood over a freekick about 28 yards out before he pinged his shot off the upper right corner and into the back of the net. Four goals did not seem to be enough as RSL continued to attack late into the second half. Both Antonio Riquelme and Van Parker came close to adding to the lopsided scoreline, but the game ended 4-0.
RSL Academy Goal Scoring Summary
Linkon Ream (Luca Moisa) 11th minute : Javier Ruelas laid the ball off to Luca Moisa who crossed to the back post. Linkon Ream was waiting to volley home with a brilliantly executed scissor kick.
Armani Haro (Luca Moisa) 26th minute: Armani Haro rose highest at the back post to head Luca Moisa’s cross over the line.
Axel Uriostegui (Armani Haro) 42nd minute: Armani Haro received a pass from Juan “Gio” Villa in the box with his back to goal. He laid the ball off to Axel Uriostegui who took a touch before firing home from the edge of the 18 yard box.
Omar Marquez 45th minute: Omar Marquez found the top right corner of the goal from a direct free kick 28 yards outside of the box.What’s Next: The U-15 team will look to continue their dominant form against Barca Residency Academy on May 16 at 8:45 a.m. MDT.
