Academy Playoffs: Friday's weather delays

by Daniel Frank

June 27, 2015

After a two-plus hour weather delay Friday afternoon, the week’s action came to a close. Friday featured playoff action in both the 16-and-under and 18-and-under divisions.

Real Salt Lake AZ 4 – 0 Chicago Magic PSG

Real Salt Sake took over from the get go against Chicago in one of the more lopsided matches of the week.

Tate Schmitt scored in the 17^th minute on a simple-looking cross into the box from Aaron Herrera. They scored again in the 38^th minute after Edgar Duran rebounded a shot from Damian German and had an easy look at the goal with the goalkeeper on the ground.

Normally the team on the wrong end of a 2-0 first-half deficit might have had a few let downs, maybe missed some opportunities where they should have scored, but not this time. In between Real Salt Lake’s first two goals was just more of the same. Duran crossed a ball into Schmitt for a header that went wide in the 22^nd minute. Three minutes later Duran had a shot that just missed the left post. German made a solo run down the middle just three minutes after that, but had his shot miss high.

Every time Real Salt Lake attacked and Chicago managed to fend them off, whether it was with a missed shot, foul or dispossessing the ball, they gave possession right back. They managed just three shots themselves in the first half, only one of which was a quality look, and were thoroughly dominated in possession.

Chicago was able to create a few more decent attacks in the second half, but the opportunities were few and far between.

It wasn’t until under 10 minutes left that Real Salt Lake finally put the nail in the coffin with a penalty kick from Jose Hernandez. Just for good measure though, they added one more just before the final whistle blew giving them a resounding 4-0 win.

New York Red Bulls 4 – 2 Portland Timbers

In one of the final matches of the week, Portland took a very quick 1-0 lead on New York with a goal in the 3^rd minute. The goalkeeper dove to block a shot, but was out of position when Carlos Anguiano gathered the rebound and shot towards the right post.

It wouldn’t take long for New York to answer though. They called offside on a run right after the ensuing kickoff and forced a less-than-certain save with a shot from Brian Saramago inside the 18-yard box a minute later. The equalizer finally came in the 15^th minute when Saramago got behind the defense inside the 18-yard box again and scored.

Saramago got loose again in the 33^rd minute running down the right sideline and in towards the goal. He sent a pass across the front of the goal to Omir Fernandez on the far side for an easy goal with the goalkeeper out of position.

Saramago kept at it in the second half with a goal in the 53^rd minute. Kyle Casey delivered a short pass in traffic 15 yards from goal and Saramago launched one into the upper left corner of the net.

Just a few minutes later, the rain came shortly followed by thunder and lightning. Everyone evacuated the field and began the long wait. Eventually the match would resume, but not after switching to a turf field.

The change didn’t do much good. 12 minutes after play resumed, Jared Gilbey poked a pass between two defenders to Casey who found the back of the net and gave New York a 4-1 lead.

Portland scored once more, but not until the 80^th minute.

Related Topics: Development Academy