Youth Sports Report:

RSL Florida ties Grand Rapids at National Championships

Posted Jul 23, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 23, 2010 at 12:25 AM

RSL Florida’s boys under-16 team twice held the lead, but ended up settling for a 2-2 draw against the reigning U.S. Youth Soccer National Premier League champion Grand Rapids Crew Juniors on Thursday afternoon at the USYS National Championships in Overland Park, Kan.

Kody Thomas scored his second goal in as many games in the ninth minute to give RSL the lead, but the Crew hit back on the half-hour mark, Nate Rose tying the game.

The game remained tied into the second half, but there Jarrett Link retook the lead for RSL in the 52nd minute. Grand Rapids would equalize late in the game, though, Taylor Mazurek scoring in the 80th minute as both sides took a point.

With four points from its opening two games, RSL can earn a place in Saturday’s final with victory on Friday when they face Slammers FC from California. Slammers FC has won both of its contests so far, including a 2-0 victory against Ohio’s Blast FC, to put it top of the six-team group with six points.

The top two teams after three rounds of pool play meet for the national championship, meaning should RSL and Grand Rapids both win, they could meet again in the final.