On the final day of training camp in Bradenton, Fla., Real Salt Lake, Major League Soccer's 12th team, improved to 4-1-1 in preseason after defeating the U.S. Adult Amateur Team 3-1 this morning in Bradenton, Fla. Goals from FW Clint Mathis, FW Jason Kreis and FW Dipsy Selolwane provided the scoring.
"Overall we finished on an upbeat note and the guys feel pretty good about themselves as we were able to get out of Florida without any injuries," said Head Coach John Ellinger. "The next phase will be to find our starting 11 and to get the team where its need to be for opening day on April 2 against the MetroStars."
Today's RSL lineup was as follows:
GK - Hutton (Palmer 46); DF - Pierce (Flores 46), Akwari (Lookingland 46), Knowles, Behncke (Jackson 46); MF - Novak (Watson 46), Mathis (O'Brien 46), Kamler (Halilovic 46), Kreamalmeyer (Cutler 46); FW - Kreis (Rhyne 46), Selolwane (McElligott 46)
Real Salt Lake came out firing on all cylinders picking up all three goals in the first half. The first goal came at the 10 minute mark when MF Luke Kreamalmeyer snuck down the left flank, beating several U.S. Amateur players and feeding the ball back to Mathis, who slammed it into the back of the net.
Just 15 minutes later, the 2005 MLS Combine MVP Kreamalmeyer made another breaking run down the left, making his way through the U.S. Amateur defense for the second time, but instead leaving the ball for FW Kreis, who added his fourth goal of the preseason.
RSL's starting lineup gained a three-goal margin when FW Mathis sent a long ball over the defense onto the foot of FW Selolwane, whose break left him one-on-one against the U.S. Amateur goalkeeper. The Botswanan international slotted a ball past the 'keeper, tallying the final RSL goal in the 35th minute.
The second half started at slower pace, with both sides playing for possession during first 20 minutes. The U.S. Amateur Team's only goal came midway through the second half on an RSL defensive miscue which allowed a U.S. Amateur forward behind the defense. Outside of this one chance, each side created very few threats with the game ending 3-1 in RSL's favor.
MATHIS AND POPE JOINING THE U.S. NATIONAL TEAM:
Mathis departed today to join RSL teammate Pope and the U.S. National Team to kickoff training to begin training for two international friendlies against Colombia on Mar. 9 in Fullerton, Calif., and Honduras on Mar. 19 in Albuquerque, N.M. The U.S. moves on to face Mexico in its second CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier on Mar. 27 in Mexico City. Before returning to the team for its inaugural game against the MetroStars, Mathis and Pope are expected to suit up for the U.S. National Team once more to face Guatemalan National Team on Mar. 30 in Birmingham, Ala.
ROJAS AND WILLIAMS COMPETING IN GOLD CUP QUALIFYING:
Jamaican MF Andy Williams and Trinidadian DF Marlon Rojas are expected to join Real Salt Lake in Portugal next week after competing in their respective CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying games early next week.
REAL SALT LAKE CONTINUES TRAINING CAMP IN PORTUGAL:
Following today's scrimmage against the U.S. Adult Amateur Team, the players will enjoy four days off before meeting at Kennedy International Airport on Thursday, Feb. 24 to depart for the second training camp session. RSL resumes training in Monte Gordo, Portugal on Feb. 25 for 14 days.
Feb. 24 - Mar. 9:
Training Camp in Portugal
• Three exhibition games scheduled TBD
Mar. 14 - Mar. 27:
Training Camp in Southern California (University of Redlands)
• Saturday, Mar. 19 - Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids (Site TBD)
• Additional exhibition games scheduled TBD
