July 19th, 2006 RSL vs Morelia

RSL loses 3-1
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RSL downed by Morelia in friendly


(by Scott McAllister realsaltlake.com 7-20-06)

SALT LAKE CITY -- Real Salt Lake fell 3-1 to Monarcas Morelia on Wednesday night in an international friendly at Rice-Eccles Stadium -- though "friendly" would not accurately describe the heated battle that took place in front of a crowd that largely supported the Mexican Primera Division club.
The exhibition match brought out plenty of fire and fight between the two sides from neighboring countries. A total of 36 fouls were committed by both sides, with nine yellow cards shown.

RSL used the match to give its reserve players some valuable international experience as head coach John Ellinger went with a much younger lineup than usual.

The youngsters proved their worth early as Jay Nolly saved a penalty kick in only the third minute. Morelia striker Rafael Marquez was cutting across the corner of the penalty area when he fell to the ground after receiving contact from RSL defender Cameron Knowles. The referee pointed to the spot and Marquez stepped up to take it, but the low, hard shot was tipped outside the post by Nolly.

The home side pressured the Mexican club all over the field in the first half. At one point Jamie Watson forced goalkeeper Moises Munoz to give a throw-in deep in Morelia territory.

In the 25th minute Mehdi Ballouchy curled a free kick from 23 yards that curled around the wall and on frame and caused Munoz to made a desperate save, pushing the ball out of play.

A few minutes later Ryan Johnson played a brisk diagonal ball through the Morelia defense that found Watson. But the young RSL striker banged his shot straight at Munoz, who slapped the chance out of danger.

Things began falling apart for Salt Lake in the 40th minute. Walter Montillo blazed through the RSL midfield and defense, carrying the ball for 40 yards. He unleashed a strike that was parried away by Nolly. But the deflection fell to Marquez, who easily put in Morelia's first goal of the evening.

A host of substitutions were made by both sides at halftime as the match only increased in intensity. Morelia seemed to find its form as the game went and RSL found itself constantly defending wave after wave of attacks.

Marquez tallied his second goal in the 57th minute. He was the beneficiary of a well-placed diagonal pass from Luis Gabriel Rey that beat the Salt Lake defense. Marquez hit a first-time shot that beat Nolly and skipped into the net.

The tension reached its peak in the 61st minute when Nikolas Besagno was fouled by Hector Altamirano. A scuffle ensued that attracted the attention of all 22 players on the field. Shoves and words were exchanged; Nelson Akwari received a yellow card during the commotion as did Altamirano.

The Salt Lake defense continued to repel the Morelia attack. In a crowded frenzy Nolly managed to get a hand up as he was falling backward to keep the ball out of the net. One of his defenders was able to clean up and clear it out of play.

Morelia hit for a third in the 75th minute when Marquez slipped a sneaky shot under Nolly before the RSL 'keeper upended the Morelia goal scorer. Nolly received a yellow card on the play.

Real finally got on the scoreboard in the final minute. Ballouchy whipped in a high freekick from the flank, across the face of the goal. Waiting on the back post was Salt Lake native Adam Acosta, who was able to tap in for his first goal with the first team.