Playing its first game since June 4, the Chicago Fire Reserves suffered a 4-0 defeat to the Real Salt Lake Reserves Sunday in Park City, Utah.
From the outset the majority of play was focused in the midfield, with each team trying to earn their chances through good ball movement and possession. The first good chance came in the 7th minute when Fire striker Floyd Franks hit a shot from just outside the penalty area that beat RSL 'keeper Chris Seitz but did not find the back of the net, as the ball ricocheted off the right post.
Despite several early chances for the Fire Reserves, it was Real that struck first n the 16th minute. Mdfielder Chris Lancos placed a shot from 35 yards that snuck inside the left post.
The second half started just as the first ended, with Espíndola being the creative force for the RSL Reserves. His efforts finally paid off in the 59th minute, as Espíndola collected a ball just outside the penalty box and, despite having two defenders marking him closely, laid the ball off to striker Chris Brown, whose resulting shot was deflected by Busch. Despite the great save, the Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was unable to keep RSL midfielder Jamie Watson from putting Real up 2-0 on the ensuing rebound.
Only six minutes later Real found net again as forward Kyle Brown earned a corner kick with a powerful shot that Busch had no choice but to parry over the endline. Midfielder Christian Jimenez took the following corner and found striker Chris Brown at the other edge of the penalty area, the veteran striker taking one touch to his left before sneaking a shot inside the far post for the third Salt Lake goal. The game was capped by a fourth goal in the 90th minute. Kyle Brown collected a ball in the middle of the field and beat both his defender and Busch, finishing on an open net.
The win improved Real Salt Lake to 3-3-0 (9 pts.) in MLS Reserve Division play, while the Chicago Fire Reserves dropped to 0-4-2 (2 pts.) and the bottom of the Reserve Division table. The Fire Reserves are next in action Sept. 2 versus the New York Red Bulls Reserves.
Real Salt Lake Reserves (3-3-0): GK-Chris Seitz (Kyle Reynish 74); D-Dustin Kirby, D- Matías Mantilla, D-Nik Besagno, D-Jack Stewart; M-Chris Lancos, M-Javier Morales (Christian Jimenez 50), M-Kenny Cutler, M-Jamie Watson (Steven Curfman 74); F-Fabian Espíndola (Kyle Brown 62), F-Chris Brown (Adam Acosta 74)
Chicago Fire Reserves (0-4-2): GK Jon Busch; D-Bruno Menezes (Daniel Zwerling 77), D-Landy Mattison, D-Lee Zarzecki; M-Joe Zewe (Kenniel Martin 68), M-Justin Mapp (Jerson Monteiro 35), M-Thiago, M-Brian Plotkin, M-Mike Banner; F-Floyd Franks, F-Chad Barrett (Calen Carr 45)
Scoring Summary:
RSL - Chris Lancos 3 (unassisted) 16
RSL - Jamie Watson 3 (unassisted) 59
RSL - Chris Brown 2 (Christian Jimenez 3) 66
RSL - Kyle Brown 1 (unassisted) 90
Misconduct Summary:
CHI - Brian Plotkin (caution) 15
RSL - Jamie Watson (caution) 70
Referee: Tyler Ploeger
Referee's Assistants: Jeff Young, Carlos Palomino
Fourth Official: Schuyler Pack
Attendance: 150
Weather: Sunny and 80 degrees
