May 8, 2019
RECAP
Casa Grande, Ariz. – The No. 1 state ranked Barça Residency Academy Pre-Academy U-16s squared off with No. 2 Real Salt Lake – Arizona Southern in the Arizona State Cup Final on Sunday, May 5, 2019.
It was a tightly matched, physical affair that was decided in the final 10 minutes of the game when RSL-AZ scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute. Barça Residency Academy fell 1-0 and finished as the 2019 U-16 Arizona State Cup Runner-Up.
The U-16s who also finished second in the Arizona Premier League will advance to the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals that will take place in Boise, Idaho June 17-23.
2019 Arizona State Cup
Barça Residency Academy U-16 vs. Real Salt Lake – Arizona Southern
Barça Residency Academy and RSL-AZ Southern squared off for the second time this year in the Arizona State Cup Final. The two teams previously matched up in an Arizona Premier League game where RSL-AZ Southern topped Barça Residency Academy 3-2.
The teams kicked off in the State Cup Final on Sunday at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in what was a tight, physical, high-intensity affair from start to finish. The teams were very evenly matched in the first half with both sides creating their fair share of goal scoring opportunities though they reached the interval with a 0-0 scoreline.
Barça Residency Academy came out strong in the second half. In the 55th minute, Ocean Salari beat his defender down the left touchline, cut in and sent a dangerous ball across the face of the goal that David Ortiz got a foot on but placed just wide. Five minutes later, Luke Micale nearly opened the scoring from a corner kick with a header that narrowly missed the upper 90.
Real Salt Lake – Arizona Southern scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute. Barça Residency Academy desperately looked to equalize in the final 10 minutes but fell 1-0.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Pre-Academy U-16s, U-17s and U-19s will compete in the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals that will take place in Boise, Idaho June 17-23.