Real FC score a late goal to beat Gunners 1-0

After squandering a host of chances, Travis Hummell finished off a nice Real move to score a late winner on a scorching Sunday afternoon.

The final score should have read four or five nil, but Real's erratic finishing against stronger competition continued. With half of the season almost over, finishing is something Real will certainly have to improve upon as they look to finish in the top three.

Last time the two teams met, Gunners found themselves ahead 2-0 in the first thirty minutes. But with a few adjustments and a halftime wake up call, Real was able to work themselves back into the match and escape with a 2-2 draw.

Sunday's match began bright for the home side, with some well worked passing moves that kept Gunners chasing. Real's first clear chance came inside ten minutes. Josh Valerio ran onto a through ball that was played down the ride side. As he dribbled into the box, he unselfishly passed to a wide open Brandon Russell at the far post who hit his shot straight into the legs of a diving Gunners keeper.

This led to an onslaught of other Real chances, with the through ball being the main attacking threat. Another move culminated with Travis Hummell inside the eighteen yard box, but his shot could only hit side netting.

Toward the end of the first forty-five minutes, Garden Grove began to share some of the possession, but mainly due to Real's fatigue and carelessness with the ball. Much to Real's dismay, the half ended all tied up despite them dominating the possession and overall play. Nick's half time speech was focused on being more patient with build ups and not forcing situations.

The hosts continued from where the first half left off, winning tackles and stifling any Gunners attack. But there was no avoiding an apparent Real handball on a rare Gunners corner kick. It was against the run of play and harsh considering the way the game was going.

It was no to be, though, as Real's keeper Justin Commins got down brilliantly to his left to keep things at 0-0.

This helped spur Real on as they continued their pressure, creating chance after chance after chance. And the payoff finally came in the last ten minutes. Fox Boswell was sent in on goal with only the keeper to beat. Rather than taking a shot, he played it square to a wide open Travis Hummell who finished with aplomb.

It was certainly relief for a side who almost went down not ten minutes before. Real was happy with the victory and a little lucky to escape with the win.

As the final whistle blew there was an overall feeling of what should have been.

Real know that in order to compete with the top sides of the league their finishing has to pick up. Things on the defensive side are definitely looking strong, as they earned their second clean sheet in a row.

Real FC Ease Past Genesis FC 4-0

Real FC started the Raul Briones cup with a resounding win against Genesis FC.  Coming off a convincing victory against CGSA in league play a fortnight ago, Real FC continued their good form with a win against Major Division side Genesis FC, earning a shutout in the process.

On an mild, overcast Sunday afternoon, Real controlled the flow of things and bossed possession.  In truth Genesis never posed a threat for Real, only managing one or two shots on target the entire match, and with no subs, ran out of gas by the end. 

Real's first goal came early, as a Steve Armendariz corner went untouched through the penalty box.  Nobody picked up a streaking Russell Vernon who was able to tap in from close range for his first goal in all competitions.

The second and third goals came not too long after the first, putting the match well out of reach of Genesis.  A fourth was added midway through the second half as a Josh Valerio shot squirmed through the keeper's hands into the bottom corner.

It could very well have been six or seven nil, but Real's eyes were no doubt set for next weekend as they face a tough Garden Grove Gunners side, a team they know all too well .  On the defensive end, Real will be pleased they kept their first clean sheet of the season, albeit against a weaker side.

Deja Vu for Real FC

Real FC falls to undefeated PSA 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Concordia University.
Real FC repeat the same mistake two weekends in a row as they concede three second half goals to lose their third game of the season. 
With a team wide email manager Nick Peters talked about his Real FC’s potential. ”Without question we have the potential to be a contender, but we have yet to reach the great heights of the elite teams in the Coast Soccer League,” Nick said. ”Our team knows some changes need to be made regarding our approach to the game; less partying during the week, more work off the field leading up to matches. We are currently discussing options to arrange a one day a week practice.”
As for the match against PSA, there were many positives to be had even with the unflattering 5-2 scoreline. For long stretches of the first half, Real dominated much of the play, largely unsettling an top PSA side with their hard working team defense. The addition of Russell Vernon from Cal Poly and the shifting of Josh Valerio to the back line provides Real with an excellent combination of skill and experience.
But it was PSA who threatened first against the run of play. Real failed to deal with a routine long ball, allowing it to bounce in a dangerous area. A PSA forward latched onto the pass, touching it past the onrushing Real goalkeeper.  With a wide open net to aim for, the PSA player somehow scuffed his shot agonizingly wide under pressure from recovering Real defenders. Jeers and astonished looks erupted from the PSA faithful on the sideline after the horrid miss.
However, PSA did finally get on the scoresheet through a mistake by Real’s new goalkeeper. Rather than picking the ball up, the keeper decided to kick a difficult bouncing ball which shanked off his shin to a wide open PSA midfielder. Under no pressure at all, the PSA player steadied himself and placed a shot to the bottom corner.
It was bad luck for Real, who had up to this point controlled much of the possession. The reward came soon after going 1-0 down, though, through a well taken set piece just outside the eighteen yard box. Mario Picarelli hit a delicate cross just on top of the six yard line, where Brandon Russell was able to head the ball towards goal. PSA’s goalie did well to initially palm it out, but only right back to Brandon Russell who was able to finish from close range.
It was a deserved equalizer for a side that had worked so hard up to this point. The deadlock unfortunately did not last for very long as PSA once again got a goal against the run of play. A PSA midfielder got free on the right side, using the time and space he had to slot an overlapping forward into the box. The shot left Real’s keeper with no chance, as it was lazered up into the upper ninety.
Real started the second half a bit lethargic, as tired legs began to lead to wayward passes and bad decisions. This allowed PSA to pounce, putting three more past a helpless Real keeper. To make matters worse, Real’s outside back Derek Mossiman broke his arm after colliding with a PSA player.
The bleeding was stopped somewhat as Fox Boswell, playing in his third game for Real, was able to pull one back on a through ball from Mario Picarellia, who got his second assist of the game and ended up with MVP honors.
With players returning from vacations and no holiday party hangovers, Real is hoping to get their season back on track as they host Morelos at home next Sunday at 11 am.

Doxa Dominates Second Half

Despite a tightly contested first half, newly promoted Real FC eventually succumbed to Doxa’s superior fitness to fall 5-1 on Saturday night.
Having come off a disappointing 2-2 tie against Garden Grove the previous weekend, Real was looking to vindicate themselves against an experienced Doxa side, a team that has thus far gone undefeated in the league. 
This wasn’t the first encounter between the two sides, the last coming in a regional tournament that saw Doxa come away with a hard fought 2-0 victory. In that match, Real dominated the first forty-five minutes, hitting the post and squandering a host of other chances, but it was Doxa who held strong for the full ninety and came away with the victory.
Knowing they could give Doxa a proper game, Real came out with confidence, breaking up the short, technical passes Doxa uses to control the tempo. This frustrated the home side for the first half hour, leaving them with no other option than to knock long balls for the forwards to run onto.
Real was content to absorb the pressure, even mounting some attacks of their own, but it was Doxa who was finally able to break the deadlock just before half time.
A Doxa midfielder ran down a long ball hit over Real’s defensive line, doing well to hit a dangerous cross into the box. Real’s captain able to get his head to it, but only as far as the top of the eighteen yard box. This gave an unmarked Doxa player the perfect opportunity to hit a half volley as the ball sat up nicely on the bounce. The strike was hit with ferocity, flying past Real’s outstretched keeper and into the bottom corner. 
At the closing moments of the first half, Doxa began to show significant signs of dominance, leaving a shocked Real side stretched wide open.
After the break, it was apparent that the Real side was beginning to tire, as they were constantly left to chase the ball because of Doxa’s slick passing. When Real was in possession, it was quickly given away by a wayward pass or poor first touch.
It wasn’t long before Doxa began to pull away, coming up with two quick back to back goals by the same midfield player. This allowed Doxa to make several substitutions, while Real made a more offensive alteration to their formation, going with three in the back and pushing another player into midfield.
The formation change instantly disrupted the smooth passing of Doxa, allowing Real to get a few sniffs at goal with some good wide play. After a solid next ten minutes, the crowded Real midfield was again able to push forward. 
Travis, who worked tirelessly all game to track back and chase, received the ball in a good attacking position. Making a strong run at Doxa’s defense, he attempted to push the ball out wide. It was immediately cut out by a Doxa defender, but it fortuitously fell right back the Real forward’s feet. Travis instinctively had a strike on goal, sending a screaming left footed effort into the upper ninety and leaving the goalie with no chance.
Momentum began to shift Real’s way, culminating in a mistake by Doxa’s keeper. On a routine goal kick, the Doxa net-minder scuffed his effort straight to an unsuspecting Real forward. With no one but the keeper to beat, the Real striker put the ball high and wide.
This was a major blow to Real’s comeback chances, as Doxa soon began to bully the match once again. With ten minutes to go, the game was truly well and done after a Doxa substitute capitalized on some poor Real defending, heading home from six yards on an inswinging corner. Doxa added another before the full ninety, once again heading home from close distance on a set play.
Although the scoreline showed 5-1, it did not tell the entire story. Real battled hard for a good part of the match, but eventually ran out of steam towards the end. Looking at the positives, Real had some good chances with some excellent wing play. On another night some deflection may have fallen the other way, making it an entirely different outcome.
That said, there is much to be done before Real can consistently compete on the level of Doxa. Next up is Real vs PSA Elite this coming sunday at 3pm.

Deja Vu for Real FC

Real FC falls to undefeated PSA 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Concordia University.
Real FC repeat the same mistake two weekends in a row as they concede three second half goals to lose their third game of the season.
With a team wide email manager Nick Peters talked about his Real FC’s potential. ”Without question we have the potential to be a contender, but we have yet to reach the great heights of the elite teams in the Coast Soccer League,” Nick said. ”Our team knows some changes need to be made regarding our approach to the game; less partying during the week, more work off the field leading up to matches. We are currently discussing options to arrange a one day a week practice.”
As for the match against PSA, there were many positives to be had even with the unflattering 5-2 scoreline. For long stretches of the first half, Real dominated much of the play, largely unsettling an top PSA side with their hard working team defense. The addition of Russell Vernon from Cal Poly and the shifting of Josh Valerio to the back line provides Real with an excellent combination of skill and experience.
But it was PSA who threatened first against the run of play. Real failed to deal with a routine long ball, allowing it to bounce in a dangerous area. A PSA forward latched onto the pass, touching it past the onrushing Real goalkeeper. With a wide open net to aim for, the PSA player somehow scuffed his shot agonizingly wide under pressure from recovering Real defenders. Jeers and astonished looks erupted from the PSA faithful on the sideline after the horrid miss.
However, PSA did finally get on the scoresheet through a mistake by Real’s new goalkeeper. Rather than picking the ball up, the keeper decided to kick a difficult bouncing ball which shanked off his shin to a wide open PSA midfielder. Under no pressure at all, the PSA player steadied himself and placed a shot to the bottom corner.
It was bad luck for Real, who had up to this point controlled much of the possession. The reward came soon after going 1-0 down, though, through a well taken set piece just outside the eighteen yard box. Mario Picarelli hit a delicate cross just on top of the six yard line, where Brandon Russell was able to head the ball towards goal. PSA’s goalie did well to initially palm it out, but only right back to Brandon Russell who was able to finish from close range.
It was a deserved equalizer for a side that had worked so hard up to this point. The deadlock unfortunately did not last for very long as PSA once again got a goal against the run of play. A PSA midfielder got free on the right side, using the time and space he had to slot an overlapping forward into the box. The shot left Real’s keeper with no chance, as it was lazered up into the upper ninety.
Real started the second half a bit lethargic, as tired legs began to lead to wayward passes and bad decisions. This allowed PSA to pounce, putting three more past a helpless Real keeper. To make matters worse, Real’s outside back Derek Mossiman broke his arm after colliding with a PSA player.
The bleeding was stopped somewhat as Fox Boswell, playing in his third game for Real, was able to pull one back on a through ball from Mario Picarellia, who got his second assist of the game and ended up with MVP honors.
With players returning from vacations and no holiday party hangovers, Real is hoping to get their season back on track as they host Morelos at home next Sunday at 11 am.