RFC traveled south to get 3 points against Capo FC in USL 2 southwest play.
Pregame
This matchup would be the first encounter for both sides in competitive action, as both clubs are new to the league. The visitors, Redlands FC, were on top of the southwest table with two wins and a draw, with their last result beating last year’s USL 2 champions Ventura County Fusion.
The hosts, Capo FC, had a more challenging time with their season suffering a 4-0 loss to Arizona Arsenal and a tie to SoCal Seahorses.
Match Recap
The match began with both teams playing high intensity, especially with RFC playing an NCAA soccer style with ping passes, speed, and physicality, while Capo FC tried to catch up to that level.
The visitors attacked mainly on the counter, with the defenders connecting to their forwards directly with a lob pass, and if they missed their man, the forwards applied high pressure to turnover and pushed up. With this game plan and being stronger and faster, RFC won more 50/50 balls, intercepted Capo’s passes, and capitalized those errors to make chances.
Capo FC did their best in response by playing to RFC’s level and sticking to their strength of going to the wing and sending crosses, which had some success.
Nonetheless, RFC would draw first blood in the 25′ with a goal from a tight through pass to Omar Yehya, who physically wins the contested ball, sets up, and finishes nicely. RFC would continue to force plays in tight spaces and tally more chances at goal.
Capo would answer back in the 37′ from a play off a throw-in that saw two-three passes, with the last one being a through ball for Scalzo, who does a three-toe finish low to the left to tie the game. With that note, the half ends one all.
The second half kicks off, and RFC plays with the same intensity as the first half turning over Capo’s passes and individual Redlands players fending off opponents to keep possession. Capo would also play similarly to the first half.
However, the tie would be broken in the 67′ when Noah Lopez receives a 50/50 bouncy ball and taps it into the right side to help RFC take the lead 2-1.
It wouldn’t stop there; in the 75′, RFC doubled their insurance with Omar getting a pop-up ball outside the box, controlling it, and finishing it low to the right. 3-1 to Redlands.
With Capo struggling to fight back from RFC still dominating possession, they cut the lead in the 84′ with Brayan Herrera receiving a ping ball from the left side, beating two defenders with class, and finishing it low to the left. Now RFC leads 3-2 with six minutes remaining.
However, the comeback didn’t happen for Capo as Redlands topped off two more goals at stoppage time by Ethan Kovach and Noah Lopez to seal the 5-2 win and 3 points on the road for the boys in white.
Postgame
With that result, RFC remains undefeated and still 1st in the southwest, six points ahead of 2nd place Arizona Arsenal, who they will host next Saturday night. For Capo FC, they record their second loss in the season and are placed last in the group. They face 3rd place Ventura County Fusion at home on Wednesday evening.