Real Salt Lake won a third consecutive game in their exhibition schedule, Toronto FC won their first match of 2008 and Columbus took care of South Florida 2-0 as the MLS preseason continues this weekend.
RSL looked to be off to a fast start this preseason as they rolled over Florida International University 3-1 in Sunrise, Fla. Meanwhile TFC celebrated their first victory thanks in large part to Maurice Edu's two goals sealing the 2-0 win against the Kansas City Wizards. The Crew cruised past South Florida with goals from Duncan Oughton and George Josten.
Real Salt Lake 3, Florida Int'l Univ. 1
Goals from two newcomers highlighted RSL's third win in as many matches. The club received one goal from rookie striker Tino Nunez and a second from trialist FW Indra Sahdan Daud.
A challenged ball by an FIU defender slid past goalkeeper Kyle Reynish to put RSL up early, 1-0. Striker Kyle Brown eluded a sliding challenge before picking out Nunez near the top of the six-yard box. Nunez's lunging header at Brown's cross nestled into the far right netting to push the RSL advantage to 2-0.
But, it was the international Indra who cushioned RSL's lead and eventual victory. He swooped into the penalty area unmarked to finish off a rebound chance off of a Nunez shot to increase the lead to three goals. Not even a last ditch goal by FIU in the 81st minute could halt the streaking RSL who have scored 14 goals in their previous three preseason games.
RSL: GK-Chris Seitz; DF-Craig Ziadie, DF-Robin Fraser (Dustin Kirby 33), DF-Matias Mantilla, DF-Tony Beltran; MF-Alex Nimo, MF-Nathan Sturgis, MF-Andy Williams, MF-Kevin Reiman; FW-Yura Movsisyan (Tino Nunez 33), FW-Kyle Brown, GK-Kyle Reynish; DF-Chris Wingert, DF-Dustin Kirby, DF-Carey Talley, DF-Ian Joy; MF-Salim Bullen, MF-Kenny Cutler, MF-Javier Morales, MF-Matias Cordoba; FW-Tino Nunez (Fabian Espíndola 65), FW-Indra Sahdan Daud.
Toronto FC 2, Kansas City Wizards 0
Last season's Rookie of the Year showed no signs of stopping where he started. Edu got into a tangle in the box before picking himself up and firing a shot past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. But, Edu did not cease after scoring his first goal of 2008. He launched another shot in the top corner past Hartman to clinch TFC's first victory of the preseason.
Edu's excellance overshadowed a powerful performance from TFC's defense. The Wizards were without a single shot on goal in the second half. Toronto is slated to play Sunday against the U.S. U-17 squad. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m.
TFC: Sutton, Brennan, Marshall, James (Marco Velez 64), Wynne, Dunivant (Kiki Musampa 62), Robinson, Edu, O'Brien, Cunningham (Jamie Watson 77), Samuel.
Columbus Crew 2, University South Florida 0
Columbus cruised throughout both halves of match play even after substituting their entire first half line-up during halftime. Duncan Oughton put the Crew up early in the first half. Despite alternating the line-up for 11 new starters, Tim Ward crossed the ball into the box in the 53rd minute and found George Josten's head. The ball fired past the USF goalkeeper giving Columbus a two-goal lead that would remain for the rest of the match.
Crew: Andy Gruenebaum, Frankie Hejduk, Danny O'Rourke, Andy Iro, Sandro Jose, Emmanuel Ekpo, Duncan Oughton, Brian Carroll, Eddie Gaven, Guilherme So, Alejandro Moreno, Will Hesmer, Jed Zayner, Chad Marshall, Ezra Hendrickson, Tim Ward, Cory Elenio, Roman Friedli, Stefani Miglioranzi, Andrew Peterson, Brad Evans, George Josten
Andrew Shaffer is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
