The clash at MLK Park in Richmond was fast-paced as RSJ created several missed chances in the early exchanges.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Victor Salguero, Real San Jose's dynamic forward, made his mark on the game. It was Juan Vazquez's visionary pass that cut through the Richmond Sol defense like a hot knife through butter, setting Salguero up to break the deadlock. As the second half unfolded, Real San Jose ramped up the pressure. Their persistence paid dividends when Lluis Dolade found himself at the right place at the right time, doubling the lead from close range, cementing RSJ's advantage, and effectively putting the game out of reach for the Sol.
The man between the sticks for Real San Jose, Mark Canepa, was a colossal presence in goal, making a critical save midway through the first half. His acrobatic leap to deny Richmond's 25-yard stinger kept Richmond from stealing the opening goal against the run of play. The defensive trio of Andy Canepa, Juan Tribin, and Teddy Rexing formed an impregnable fortress, thwarting the Richmond Sol attackers and nullifying their offensive threat throughout the match. Their poise under pressure was a testament to RSJ's tactical discipline.
In the heart of the field, the midfield workhorses Yasid Alvarado, Jacob Muniz, and Marlon Marquez covered every bit of turf, showcasing both grit and finesse. They orchestrated the tempo, winning critical challenges and seamlessly transitioning play from defense to attack.
Real San Jose's performance was a statement of intent, a declaration of their unwavering ambition to dominate the NSL Pacific Conference. As the final whistle blew, talk of a second straight unbeaten regular season added a layer of excitement to an already thrilling evening of soccer. Oddly enough, this is only the second victory of the season, as the other four matches ended in draws. RSJ needs a victory over Yemen United to secure 2nd in the NSL standing and a first-round bye in the playoffs. That is at MLK Park on February 17th.
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