The First USL Match with an MLS Feel
by Marc Serber
While the first ever United Soccer League match between two Major League Soccer reserve squads ended in an anti-climatic 0-0 draw, fans were treated to exactly what they wanted. A mix of talented youngsters and savvy veterans graced the field as the Los Angeles Galaxy II and the Real Monarchs SLC opened their 2015 campaigns.
“Los Dos” dominated play and had the majority of genuine goal scoring opportunities. In the end, the home side was let down just as much by its own poor finishing as it was stifled by Real’s unflinching organization and some excellent last ditch defending.
The good news from an LA perspective is that A.J. DeLaGarza went the full 90 as he works his way back from an injury which kept him out of the first team’s draw with Houston.
Meanwhile, Bradford Jamieson IV was the Galaxy II’s best player. Ever present in the first half, Jamieson IV was just as dangerous on the wing as he was cutting inside and torturing the Real defense with dangerous through balls. Fresh off his call up to the U-20 National team, the 18-year-old showed his ability to be electrifying in full flight as well as nimble in tight spaces. He won a free kick in a dangerous position in the first half after bulldozing his way through midfield.
While Jamieson IV faded a bit in the final 45, he was still dangerous when involved, showing his supreme technique with a deft touch to meg a Monarchs defender on the touchline. After his stunning debut with the first team last year, Bruce Arena knows that when back from International duty, he can call upon the youngster to provide the first team with valuable minutes as club rotation is always crucial for a team competing for top honors on multiple fronts.
Oscar Sorto and Raul Mendiola also showed their quality on the left hand side. Having played together since their days in the academy, the two combined with a telepathic effeciency.
Sorto, called in this week to the U.S. U-23s, was particularly impressive with his one v. one defending in the box against the silky dribbling of Ricardo Velazco. While other defenders would have stuck out a leg, Sorto kept his cool on more than one occasion to move his feet and cleanly dispossess the Monarchs’ number 10 without the forward going to ground.
“Wherever the team needs me. If they need me in the first team or the second team I will be available Hopefully this year I can spend more time with the first team,” said Sorto, who saw just 15 minutes in Major League Soccer after the match. “Right now I am helping out the second team and we are looking good.”
The Real Monarchs SLC starting XI featured seven players listed on Real Salt Lake’s first team roster. Only John Stertzer and Aaron Maund saw any action with the senior team last season.
Maund orchestrated a cohesive defensive unit while Lalo Fernandez put himself in good steed by recording the Monarchs’ first ever clean sheet. It’s a huge statement for the former Mexican and U.S. youth international who will most likely back up Jeff Atinella while Nick Rimando is on international duty.
Velazco is not listed on RSL’s roster, but a few more performances like the one in Carson may have Jeff Cassar taking a closer look. Velazco’s tight control and mazy dribbles into the box may not have bothered Sorto, but will terrorize most USL defenders.
“Sebastian Saucedo and Adolfo Ovalle are still 18 and 17 years old,” head coach Freddy Juaez said of RSL’s young home grown talent. “Hopefully they play there [with the first team], but if they don’t, they’re more then welcome with us.”
After a year of watching the LA Galaxy II, fans and pundits alike have a pretty good idea of who will shuttle back and forth between the MLS and USL teams.
It may take a few more games before those outside of RSL’s inner circle can begin to predict who will see minutes with the first team during the 2015 season.
