After struggling to find its attack in last Sunday's exhibition opener, Real Salt Lake had no such troubles in their second go-around this afternoon, finding goals early and often against Shandong Luneng Taishan to post an 8-0 result over the defending Chinese Super League champions in a scrimmage contested at Oxnard College in Oxnard, Calif. Real Salt Lake would see six different players find the back of the net in the match, with FW Tino Nuñez doing the honors twice in the first half to spur the RSL attack.
It would be Nuñez getting things off to a flying start inside the first minute of play, as the second-year striker roofed a half-volley from a tight angle to immediately move the scoreboard. MF Will Johnson would double the advantage in the 10th minute, while Southern California native FW Yura Movsisyan added another just five minutes later, giving early indication that RSL was out to make amends for its shutout draw against the Ventura County Fusion last Sunday. Nuñez would do his strike partner Movsisyan one better in the 40th minute by finishing off a Johnson pass for his second of the contest, putting RSL up 4-0 heading into halftime.
The only other activity of note for the remainder of the half would be a caution for a professional foul issued shortly after the half hour mark to Salt Lake DF Chris Wingert, who spent his first four days alongside his RSL teammates earlier this week after making his return from U.S. Men's National Team camp on Monday.
The usual wholesale changes were in order at the half, with defenders David Hertel and David Horst serving as the only holdovers for Head Coach Jason Kreis' side after the break. Even with a new line-up the emphasis on attacking remained the same for the Utah side, with guest player FW Arthur Aghasyan scoring off an assist from MF Kevin Reiman in the 55th minute to continue the onslaught. RSL would tack on one more just after the hour mark via a penalty kick, with MF Alex Nimo providing the finish from the spot to lift RSL to a 6-0 cushion.
A red card issued to Shandong around the 70th minute would be brushed aside, with the player leaving the field but the Chinese squad able to substitute in his place to keep things even in numbers. But that would be the only evenness on display in the second half, as RSL continued to capitalize in front of goal. Aghasyan would be in on the action again as the match waned, playing distributor on fellow camp invitee FW Luis Miguel Escalada's finish with 10 minutes remaining. An own goal by Shandong in the 88th minute would bring the scoring to its conclusion and give RSL one of, if not the most lopsided exhibition triumphs in its five-year history.
Real Salt Lake's original itinerary had the squad scrimmaging UC-Irvine before making the return to Utah on Saturday, but the contest scheduled for tomorrow morning has been canceled. RSL will take the Presidents' Day weekend off from training before holding a practice on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the New Park field house in Park City from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Next Tuesday's session - RSL's only training to be held in Utah before the team heads to Tampa for the second leg of its 2009 preseason - will be open to members of the media, with availability for players and coaches to follow.
RSL Preseason Game #2 - v. Shandong Luneng Taishan (CHN)
RSL 8 : 0 SLT
Friday, February 13, 2009
Oxnard College - Oxnard, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
RSL: Tino Nuñez - 1'
RSL: Will Johnson - 10'
RSL: Yura Movsisyan - 15'
RSL: Tino Nuñez - 40'
RSL: Arthur Aghasyan - 55'
RSL: Alex Nimo (penalty kick) - 62'
RSL: Luis Miguel Escalada - 80'
RSL: own goal - 88'
Discipline Summary:
RSL: Chris Wingert (caution) - 33'
SLT: red card - 70' (substitute allowed)
RSL 1st Half Line-up: GK - Nick Rimando; DF - David Hertel, David Horst, Ian Joy, Chris Wingert; MF - Jean Alexandre, Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson, Raphael Cox; FW - Tino Nuñez, Yura Movsisyan
RSL 2nd Half Line-up: GK - Chris Seitz; DF - Brennan Tennelle, David Hertel, David Horst, Jorginho Paulista; MF - Alex Nimo, Alex Viveros, Clint Mathis, Kevin Reiman; FW - Luis Miguel Escalada, Arthur Aghasyan
Real Salt Lake 2009 Preseason Schedule (subject to change)
Feb. 2-14: Preseason Trip #1 to Oxnard/Ventura, Calif.
Sun., Feb. 8 - Real Salt Lake 0 : 0 Ventura County Fusion - Buena H.S.; Ventura, Calif.
Fri., Feb. 13 - Real Salt Lake 8 : 0 Shandong Luneng Taishan (China) - Oxnard College; Oxnard, Calif.
Sat., Feb. 14 - RSL vs. UC-Irvine -
CANCELLED
; Return to Utah
Feb. 15-16: Off days
Feb. 17: Training at New Park field house in Park City - 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT
Feb. 18-28: Preseason Trip #2 to Tampa, Fla.
Sat., Feb. 21 - RSL vs. opp. TBD @ Univ. of South Florida - 5:00 p.m. MT
Tues., Feb. 24 - RSL vs. opp. TBD @ Univ. of Tampa - 5:00 p.m. MT
March 1-3: Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)
March 4-15: Preseason Trip #3 to Charleston, S.C. - Carolina Challenge Cup
Sat., March 7 - RSL vs. D.C. United - 3:00 p.m. MT
Wed., March 11 - RSL vs. Charleston - 5:15 p.m. MT
Sat., March 14 - RSL vs. Toronto FC - 3:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, March 21: Exhibition contest - Opponent/Site TBD
