Real San Jose came away with a big 3-0 victory over the Oakland Stompers at Raimondi Park Park in Oakland last Saturday night. The win earned RSJ a spot in the UPSL playoffs which begin next weekend. RSJ entered the match out of playoff position but made up for a less than stellar regular-season by grabbing the eighth and final playoff spot. San Jose travels to Contra Costa County next weekend to play the Wild West division’s top seed. There

Albert Munante put RSJ in the lead in the 20th minute as he banged home a low cross from JC Bugarin. San Jose seemed destined to hold onto the one-goal lead going into halftime but then suddenly found themselves on the wrong end of a penalty call in extra time. Luckily, goalkeeper, Jonathan Arellano came up with a huge save at the first half’s final whistle.

That save not only prevented the loss of the lead but spurred the team to play perhaps their best half of the season. Albert scored a second goal, a thunderous blast from the left of goal about 18 yards out. Then it was Bugarin sealing the victory with a late goal as see slotted in a rebounded shot by Rafa Monza.

RSJ now prepares for a playoff run that will only take place on the road. San Jose knows the way forward will be tight but only needs to look back to past success as motivation. Three seasons ago RSJ reached the UPSL national semifinal by winning all their playoff games on the road.