Park City, UT - The Real Salt Lake Reserves (1-3-0) today earned their first win of the season in a 3-2 victory over the New England Revolution Reserves (5-2-0) at the Quinn's Junction complex in Park City, Utah. After falling behind in the 28th minute to an Adam Cristman goal, RSL scored three unanswered goals in the second half before surrendering a stoppage time goal.
The home-standing RSL Reserves came out quickly, pressuring the New England defense with several close chances in the opening minutes. Both RSL midfielder Jamie Watson and defender Nik Besagno had excellent opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, but Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton was up to the challenge, making diving saves on both to keep the score level.
The Real Salt Lake Reserves dominated much of the possession for the first half, however, it was New England that struck first in the 28th minute when striker Adam Cristman received a perfect through-ball from midfielder Bryan Byrne. His one-touch shot found the net past diving RSL netminder Chris Seitz to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.
Despite numerous scoring chances for each side, the story of the first half was the goalkeeping, with each team's 'keeper making several outstanding saves to keep Christman's tally as the lone one of the half.
The quick pace kept up in the second half, and RSL finally found its equalizer in the 59th minute. Watson found himself in alone on goal, and Knighton again made an athletic save but was unable to stop RSL Reserves forward Adam Acosta from putting the rebound home.
Watson again found himself in the middle of a scoring play in the 67th minute as he was taken down inside the penalty area by Revolution defender Avery John. Referee Feliciano Palomino awarded a penalty kick, and Watson blasted the ensuing shot into the left corner, giving Real their first lead of the game at 2-1.
New England pressured the Real defense for the next several minutes as Cristman and fellow forward Chris Loftus had several golden opportunities, but were unable to capitalize. Watson iced the game for RSL in the 79th minute when he intercepted a New England back-pass and chipped the ball over the outstretched arms of Knighton for his second goal of the match. New England midfielder Kyle Helton was able to get one goal back for the Revs in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late for the Revolution as the RSL Reserves earned their first three points of the season.
The RSL Reserves have an exhibition scheduled this for Tuesday, July 31, against the Ogden Outlaws of the USL's Premier Development League at St. Joseph's H.S. in Ogden before jumping back into league play next Sunday, August 5, against the Houston Dynamo Reserves at Quinn's Junction. The Revolution Reserves will have a lengthy hiatus before they will next be seen in MLS Reserve Division action, taking to the field next on September 9 at D.C. United.
Real Salt Lake Reserves (1-3-0)- GK-Chris Seitz (Kyle Reynish 74), D-Chris Lancos, D-Nik Besagno, D-Jack Stewart, D-Willis Forko, M-Christian Jimenez, M-Jamie Watson, M-Atiba Harris, M-Kenny Cutler, F-Kyle Brown (Steven Curfman 71), F-Adam Acosta (Dustin Kirby 67)
New England Revolution Reserves (5-3-0)- GK-Brad Knighton, D-Amaechi Igwe, D-Avery John, D-Marshall Leonard, M-Bryan Byrne, M-Gary Flood, M-Kyle Helton, M-Ryan Solle (Geoff Walker 63), M-Khano, Smith (Miguel Gonzalez 46), F-Adam Cristman, F-Chris Loftus
Scoring Summary:
NER - Adam Cristman 1 (Byrne 2) 28
RSL - Adam Acosta 1 (unassisted) 59
RSL - Jamie Watson 1 (penalty kick) 67
RSL - Jamie Watson 2 (unassisted) 79
NER - Kyle Helton 1 (Flood 1, Cristman 1) 90+
Misconduct Summary:
NER - Khano Smith (caution) 22
RSL - Jack Stewart (caution) 70
RSL - Atiba Harris (caution) 78
Referee: Feliciano Palomino
Referee's Assistants: Terrence Mares, Brett Stephens
Fourth Official: Jeff Young
Attendance: 150
