Youth Sports Report:

Soccer: RSL Boys lose out on goal difference

Posted Jun 21, 2009 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 21, 2009 at 08:04 PM

RSL Florida’s boys under-18 team fell 4-1 to Georgia champions the Norcross Fury, and as a result missed out on advancing to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regionals in Dallas on goal difference.

Needing a point to advance, RSL fell behind early to Norcross, and weren’t able to get back on level terms. The Dallas Texans, with whom RSL had tied 0-0 on Saturday, edged into the quarterfinals thanks to a +1 goal differential, boosted by their 2-0 win against the already eliminated Andromeda FC.

“They were a very good team,” RSL coach Steve Wolf said of Norcross. “Their two strikers just gave us fits from the get-go, and they scored a couple of goals on us early, and we were chasing the game the whole time.”

Trailing 3-1 at halftime, RSL had chances to get back into the game, but was unable to take advantage. Playing with only 11 men available due to injury and suspension, RSL was unable to gain an upper hand.

“They pretty much had control of the game,” Wolf said. “Obviously [the suspension] had an effect, but it’s not an excuse, they were a very good team and deserved to win the game.”