San Francisco — There are days in soccer when everything clicks… and then there are days when you run into El Farolito.

Real San Jose made the trip north to face the reigning National Amateur Club of the Year and, for one long evening in Boxer Stadium, found themselves on the wrong end of a 12–0 scoreline. Yes, twelve. As in, by the time you finish reading this sentence, they might have scored again.

But here’s the thing — this wasn’t a team that packed it in.

From the opening whistle, RSJ showed up ready to fight. For stretches, they battled, defended, and tried to impose themselves against a side that has made a habit of turning good teams into cautionary tales. And while the scoreboard kept ticking in a direction nobody in red, white, and black wanted to see, the effort never dipped.

No heads dropped. No walking. No “let’s just get out of here.” Just a group that kept lining up, taking the next kickoff, and going again.

Because that’s the part you don’t always see in a scoreline like this.

You see “12–0” and think collapse. But inside it, there’s something else — guys who kept running, kept competing, and kept showing up for each other even when the result was long gone.

Against a powerhouse like El Farolito, that matters.

Real San Jose will take the lesson, take the hit, and keep moving. That’s how this club has lasted 20 seasons. Not by avoiding results like this — but by surviving them.

And if you’ve been around RSJ long enough, you already know how this story goes next.

They’ll be back. Starting this friday when the Oakland Stompers come to PAL Stadium for a 7:45PM kickoff.

Another loss for Real San Jose on June 11, this time to East Bay Stompers by the score of 0-2. RSJ was in the match all the way until the end when the Stompers were awarded a penalty and subsequently scored.

“I am seeing improvement in the team, compared to the game against Aguiluchos. We made a step forward. Overall I see improvement and a better understanding of the system I would like to play,” said RSJ head coach Markus Kothner.

Everything was equal until the 69th minute when the RSJ defense was caught flat at midfield and Isaiah Dairo took full advantage by scoring unopposed except for goalkeeper Matt Rielly who was making his debut in the San Jose goal.

“We need to be more focused and concentrated defensively,” said Kothner.

RSJ created a number scoring chances to seemed ready to score at any moment only to be stopped by Stompers Man of the Match goalkeeper Jose Majano.

Real San Jose travels to Sonoma this weekend and returns home to host Sacramento Gold on June 25.

Key injuries and late scratches from the lineup clearly contributed to a second half collapse as Real Jose gave five second-half goals en route to an embarrassing 7-1 defeat at Oakland on June 4th.

Key injuries to goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano(vs Seattle) and captain David Sifuentes (mid-week) played a major role in RSJ surrendering seven goals. Late scratches from three other RSJ players meant that RSJ would be unable to withstand the speed and pressure brought by CDA. Team fitness was the key to this match as an exciting first half ended with CD Aguiluchoes USA leading 2-1. Fernando Lares continued his scoring streak to four matches just before halftime off a nice assist from Luis Avalos.

RSJ hopes to end the season on a positive note with four games remaining in the so far disastrous 10th season. The first is at home against East Bay Stompers this Saturday at PAL Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm.

Real San Jose was never in the match against OSA FC from Seattle. Seattle scored within two minutes and added three more before halftime. The score would get to five before Fernando Lares scored a fantastic goal to make the final 5-1. It was Lares’ fourth goal in three matches since the eighteen-year-old joined RSJ.

To say RSJ is struggling this season is an understatement. The team has not won a game since the opening weekend that seems like it was years ago. The team has a bye next week, and there are already hints that changes are already here.

“Something needs to change around here, and it starts at the top and rolls on down. That’s all I can say right now,” said RSJ Manager Nick Arellano.

RSJ has next week off and then plays Oakland before returning home in three weeks.