
Fire Reserves see first action in over two months
From the outset the majority of play was focused in the midfield, with each team trying to earn their chances through good ball movement and possession. The first good chance came in the 7th minute when Fire striker Floyd Franks hit a shot from just outside the penalty area that beat RSL ‘keeper Chris Seitz but did not find the back of the net, as the ball ricocheted off the right post.
Despite several early chances for the Fire Reserves, it was Real that struck first n the 16th minute. Mdfielder Chris Lancos placed a shot from 35 yards that snuck inside the left post.
The second half started just as the first ended, with Espíndola being the creative force for the RSL Reserves. His efforts finally paid off in the 59th minute, as Espíndola collected a ball just outside the penalty box and, despite having two defenders marking him closely, laid the ball off to striker Chris Brown, whose resulting shot was deflected by Busch. Despite the great save, the Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was unable to keep RSL midfielder Jamie Watson from putting Real up 2-0 on the ensuing rebound.
Only six minutes later Real found net again as forward Kyle Brown earned a corner kick with a powerful shot that Busch had no choice but to parry over the endline. Midfielder Christian Jimenez took the following corner and found striker Chris Brown at the other edge of the penalty area, the veteran striker taking one touch to his left before sneaking a shot inside the far post for the third
The win improved
Real Salt Lake Reserves (3-3-0) – GK-Chris Seitz (Kyle Reynish 74); D-Dustin Kirby, D- Matías Mantilla, D-Nik Besagno, D-Jack Stewart; M-Chris Lancos, M-Javier Morales (Christian Jimenez 50), M-Kenny Cutler, M-Jamie Watson (Steven Curfman 74); F-Fabian Espíndola (Kyle Brown 62), F-Chris Brown (Adam Acosta 74)
Chicago Fire Reserves (0-4-2) – GK Jon Busch; D-Bruno Menezes (Daniel Zwerling 77), D-Landy Mattison, D-Lee Zarzecki; M-Joe Zewe (Kenniel Martin 68), M-Justin Mapp (Jerson Monteiro 35), M-Thiago, M-Brian Plotkin, M-Mike Banner; F-Floyd Franks, F-Chad Barrett (Calen Carr 45)
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Chris Lancos 3 (unassisted) 16
RSL – Jamie Watson 3 (unassisted) 59
RSL – Chris Brown 2 (Christian Jimenez 3) 66
RSL – Kyle Brown 1 (unassisted) 90
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Brian Plotkin (caution) 15
RSL – Jamie Watson (caution) 70
Referee:
Attendance: 150 Weather: Sunny and 80 degrees