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RSL thrashes Colorado & SKC downs LAG in opening Sun Cup matches
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MLS preseason

RSL thrashes Colorado & SKC downs LAG in opening Sun Cup matches

Former FC Tucson player Toia on field again for RSL

Ted Prezelski
TucsonSentinel.com
  • Sporting's Jaylin Lindsey on the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSporting's Jaylin Lindsey on the ball.
  • Rapids defender Steven Beitashour on the ball against Real Salt Lake.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRapids defender Steven Beitashour on the ball against Real Salt Lake.
  • Galaxy midfielder Daniel Aguirre dribbles past the midfield line.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy midfielder Daniel Aguirre dribbles past the midfield line.
  • Galaxy players signed autographs for a few lucky fans along the sideline.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy players signed autographs for a few lucky fans along the sideline.
  • LA's Jonathan dos Santos didn't play, but soaked up some sun along the sideline while watching his team take on Sporting Kansas City.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA's Jonathan dos Santos didn't play, but soaked up some sun along the sideline while watching his team take on Sporting Kansas City.
  • KC attacking midfielder Gianluca Busio didn't shirk his defensive duties.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comKC attacking midfielder Gianluca Busio didn't shirk his defensive duties.
  • Javier Hernandez was a frustrated figure throughout the match, with little service arriving to him.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comJavier Hernandez was a frustrated figure throughout the match, with little service arriving to him.
  • Preseason matches are an important chance for younger players to make an impression on the coaches.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPreseason matches are an important chance for younger players to make an impression on the coaches.
  • Sporting KC players congratulate Gianluca Busio for the only goal of the match.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSporting KC players congratulate Gianluca Busio for the only goal of the match.
  • Fans were allowed in Kino North for the first time in over a year.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comFans were allowed in Kino North for the first time in over a year.
  • Gianluca Busio and Remi Walter stand over a free kick late in the first half against the LA Galaxy.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGianluca Busio and Remi Walter stand over a free kick late in the first half against the LA Galaxy.
  • Sporting fullback Jaylin Lindsey sprints up the line against the LA Galaxy.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSporting fullback Jaylin Lindsey sprints up the line against the LA Galaxy.
  • SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia makes a save early in the first half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSKC goalkeeper Tim Melia makes a save early in the first half.
  • Galaxy captain Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez had a quite 45 minutes of soccer.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy captain Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez had a quite 45 minutes of soccer.
  • A bit of shirt-pulling in the LA box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comA bit of shirt-pulling in the LA box.
  • Players from both teams watch as a KC shot heads toward the far post in the first half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPlayers from both teams watch as a KC shot heads toward the far post in the first half.
  • The early part of the match between LA and KC was back and forth, with both teams generating chances.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe early part of the match between LA and KC was back and forth, with both teams generating chances.
  • KC number 10 Gianluca Busio was the standout player of the match.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comKC number 10 Gianluca Busio was the standout player of the match.
  • Chicharito captained the Galaxy and drew most of the attention from fans.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comChicharito captained the Galaxy and drew most of the attention from fans.
  • The LA Galaxy returned to Tucson for preseason after several years away. The majority of fans in the stadium were there to support the Galaxy.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe LA Galaxy returned to Tucson for preseason after several years away. The majority of fans in the stadium were there to support the Galaxy.
  • Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach took a beating in the match as reward for his standout performance againts the Colorado Rapids.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach took a beating in the match as reward for his standout performance againts the Colorado Rapids.
  • Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach celebrates his second half goal to put his team up 3-0 over Colorado.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comReal Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach celebrates his second half goal to put his team up 3-0 over Colorado.
  • Colorado center back Lalas Abubakar is warned about his overly physical approach to the match against Real Salt Lake.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comColorado center back Lalas Abubakar is warned about his overly physical approach to the match against Real Salt Lake.
  • Tucson native Donny Toia had a winning return to his hometown as RSL ran out 3-0 winners over the Colorado Rapids.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTucson native Donny Toia had a winning return to his hometown as RSL ran out 3-0 winners over the Colorado Rapids.
  • The referee was well placed to award a penalty against Steven Beitashour.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe referee was well placed to award a penalty against Steven Beitashour.
  • Colorado Rapids players react to the penalty which allowed Salt Lake to take a 2-0 advantage.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comColorado Rapids players react to the penalty which allowed Salt Lake to take a 2-0 advantage.
  • Salt Lake forward Justin Meram holds off Colorado's Michael Barrios.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake forward Justin Meram holds off Colorado's Michael Barrios.
  • Salt Lake players celebrate Damir Kreilach's penalty against Colorado.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake players celebrate Damir Kreilach's penalty against Colorado.
  • RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach and Colorado defender Lalas Abubakar compete for a header at the midfield line.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRSL midfielder Damir Kreilach and Colorado defender Lalas Abubakar compete for a header at the midfield line.
  • Salt Lake forward Anderson Julio and Colorado defender Steven Beitashour rise high for a header.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake forward Anderson Julio and Colorado defender Steven Beitashour rise high for a header.
  • Real Salt Lake's defense was organized and kept Colorado quiet throughout the match.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comReal Salt Lake's defense was organized and kept Colorado quiet throughout the match.
  • RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach scores from the spot to go 2-0 up over the Colorado Rapids.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRSL midfielder Damir Kreilach scores from the spot to go 2-0 up over the Colorado Rapids.
  • Colorado's Younes Namli slips past RSL's Damir Kreilach.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comColorado's Younes Namli slips past RSL's Damir Kreilach.
  • Saturday's late match between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids was a chippy affair with numerous instances when the ref might have used his cards.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSaturday's late match between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids was a chippy affair with numerous instances when the ref might have used his cards.
  • Salt Lake defender Andrew Brody carries the ball into the Colorado half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake defender Andrew Brody carries the ball into the Colorado half.
  • Colorado's Nicolás Mezquida takes on RSL defender Andrew Brody.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comColorado's Nicolás Mezquida takes on RSL defender Andrew Brody.
  • Fans were able to attend matches at Kino North stadium and made sure to make their presence felt.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comFans were able to attend matches at Kino North stadium and made sure to make their presence felt.
  • Players from Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids lined up as sun streamed in over the Kino North Stands.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPlayers from Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids lined up as sun streamed in over the Kino North Stands.

The 2021 Visit Tucson Sun Cup featured two matches Saturday: an afternoon contest between Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy and an evening match featuring Rocky Mountain rivals Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids.

Sporting Kansas City 1 (Busio 33’) – LA Galaxy 0

Mexican great Chicharito was on the field for the Galaxy, but his best shot bounced harmlessly off the cross bar early in the match. The lone goal was instead scored by Kansas City’s Gianluca Busio, an 18 year-old recently promoted from the team’s USL affiliate.

An injury during pregame warm-ups meant Kansas City’s Daniel Salloi was pulled from the roster at the last minute, so newly signed French player Nicolas Isimat-Mirin played the first half of the game, his first minutes for the team.

Real Salt Lake 3 (Julio 13’, Kreilach 45’, 78’) – Colorado Rapids 0

RSL’s new loanee from Ecuadoran club Atlético San Luis, Anderson Julio, showed he could make an immediate impact. After some half chances from Colorado, Andrew Brody slipped past a Rapids defender and gave the ball a short flick to Julio. It only took one sure touch to get it into the goal.

Further goals from fourth-year Croatian striker Damir Kreilach sealed up the victory for RSL. Tucson native Donny Toia started the match for Real Salt Lake.

2021 Sun Cup schedule

All matches at Kino North Stadium

Saturday, April 3

  • Noon - Sporting Kansas City 1, LA Galaxy 0
  • 6 pm - Real Salt Lake 3, Colorado Rapids  0

Wednesday, April 7

  • 3 pm - Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy
  • 6 pm - Phoenix Rising FC vs Real Salt Lake

Saturday, April 10

  • 5 pm - LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake
  • 7:30 pm - Colorado Rapids vs Phoenix Rising

Filed under

sports, soccer, breaking, 1000 px,

Read more about

colorado rapids, donny toia, fc tucson, la galaxy, mls, real salt lake, sporting kansas city, sun cup

More by Ted Prezelski

— 30 —

Top headlines

2021 Sun Cup schedule

All matches at Kino North Stadium

Saturday, April 3

  • Noon - Sporting Kansas City 1, LA Galaxy 0
  • 6 pm - Real Salt Lake 3, Colorado Rapids  0

Wednesday, April 7

  • 3 pm - Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy
  • 6 pm - Phoenix Rising FC vs Real Salt Lake

Saturday, April 10

  • 5 pm - LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake
  • 7:30 pm - Colorado Rapids vs Phoenix Rising
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