Real Salt Lake completed its preseason games today with a 3-1 victory over the University of Portland at Clive Charles Soccer Complex in Portland, Ore. Two of RSL's goals were notched by 2005 RSL Most Valuable Player MF Andy Williams while newcomer FW Ryan Johnson tallied the remaining goal.
RSL's earliest opportunity in the first half was by University of Portland product Chris Brown in the 13th minute. The Portland, Ore. native beat two Pilot defenders and fired a shot on goal, but GK Luis Robles saved the attempt spoiling Brown's homecoming. In the 17th minute, the Pilots took a corner kick with the ball finding a Portland player who headed the ball on goal. The ball sailed to the back post where the 2006 MLS SuperDraft second overall pick MF Mehdi Ballouchy headed the ball off the line to stop the goal attempt.
Just one minute later, Williams slid a pass to MF Chris Klein who fired a point blank shot at the Pilot 'keeper forcing him to make a save. In the 32nd minute, Williams went on a run beating two defenders and rocketing a shot on goal, but once again the Portland 'keeper came up with a save to deny RSL its first goal. Just four minutes later, FW Jamie Watson was pulled down in the box forcing the referee to reward RSL with a penalty kick. Williams took the penalty kick putting the visiting team up 1-0 in the 36th minute.
The Pilots began the second half seeking an equalizer and would be rewarded with one just 14 minutes into the half. RSL then went on surge of attacks, the first by FW Ryan Johnson whose 64th minute header went wide right of the goal. Three minutes later, Ballouchy streaked across the middle of the field at the top of the box and hit a left footed bomb that sailed wide of the goal. Just two minutes later, newly signed MF Joey Worthen also got in on the action when he was fed a through ball from Williams forcing the Pilots 'keeper to make yet another save.
In the 71st minute, RSL found its second goal after GK Jay Nolly sent a deep ball down the left flank to Williams who split two Portland players dishing the ball to Ballouchy. The Casablanca, Morocco native found a streaking Johnson who slid the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out to put RSL up 2-1.
RSL's final goal was tallied by Williams, undoubtedly the man of match, after he slid a ball to Johnson who had his shot on goal blocked by the Portland 'keeper. The ball bounced back to Johnson who then returned the favor to Williams who was waiting at the 18 yard line. Williams, the cunning playmaker, chipped the Portland 'keeper ending the game 3-1.
Scoring Summary:
RSL - Andy Williams (penalty) '39
POR - Patrick Jurney (Alex Elliott) '59
RSL - Ryan Johnson (Mehdi Ballouchy) '71
RSL - Andy Williams (Ryan Johnson) '80
Real Salt Lake - 1st Half: Scott Garlick; Danny Torres, Eddie Pope, Carey Talley, Chris Brown; Mehdi Ballouchy, Douglas Sequeira, Andy Williams, Chris Klein; Atiba Harris, Jamie Watson.
2nd Half: Jay Nolly; Nelson Akwari, Nikolas Besagno, Cameron Knowles, Willis Forko; Christian Jimenez, Carey Talley, Mehdi Ballouchy, Joey Worthen; Ryan Johnson, Andy Williams.
