Real San Jose twice came back from being a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at Chico Rangers on May 5, 2018. The result keeps RSJ unbeaten through five games to start the 2018 UPSL season.
Chico came out strong and scored through a corner kick just two minutes into the match. It seemed as if the RSJ defenders stopped play as a header spun off the top of the bar and Chico player crossed the ball in for a wide-open shooter.
"The ball went out to play and we all stopped. Their guy still played it and they scored. We complained but the referee said we should play through the whistle, I don't understand how the AR missed it," said RSJ goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano.
Chico continue to apply pressure as San Jose were still trying to find their form. After about 20 minutes, they did.
RSJ started creating some nice chances for themselves and narrowly missing. Finally, Capt. Angel Heredia went coast-to-coast combining passes with goalkeeper Arellano, Facundo Benitez and Luis Avalos. At the end of the play it was some nifty combination passing between Heredia and Avalos that led to the tying goal. Avalos provided Borja Moya with the defense splitting pass and Borja beat the keeper for his third goal of the season. The referee blew for halftime just after the following kickoff.
Chico began the second half as they did the first and kept RSJ pinned back looking for counterattacks. Chico seem to get the break they were looking for when defender Hoang Pham was called for tripping in the penalty box. However, the Chico penalty taker shot the ball over the goal.
The home team did get the break they were looking for in the 69th minute as they took the lead once again. This time they took full advantage of attacking the RSJ right side crossed to a wide-open striker who had no problem finding the net.
RSJ once again were behind and pushing forward. Finally, in 82nd minute, another series of touches found in attacking player wide-open. Omar Sanchez played the ball from the midfield line toward Pham who "dummied" the ball for Mike Tomsic. Tomsic combined with Moya and found himself which is the goalkeeper to beat. And he did sliding the ball just inside the back post.
Both sides pushed hard for the game-winner but in the end the match finished in a well played draw.
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Real San Jose returns home next week, May 12, to host the Western Nevada Coyotes who also enter the game unbeaten in 2018 league play. Kick off is set for 6:45 PM at PAL Stadium.
