RSL Snatches Late Win At Brandon
Posted August 12, 2007 by Nick Murray
Updated Aug 12, 2007 at 12:59 PM



BRANDON - Ryan Asare-Bediako scored two minutes from full time to give RSL Florida’s boys under-17 team a 3-2 win against the Brandon Flames in the United Soccer League Super-Y Southeast division on Sunday afternoon.

The game was the completion of a match from July 19 that was suspended six minuted before halftime due to lightning with the score tied 1-1 on goals by RSL’s Brendan Howard and Brandon’s Tyler McClure. Both teams went close in the re-started first half, with Brandon’s Alex Riddle having a snap shot saved and RSL’s Matt Palmer having a dangerous free kick tipped over the crossbar.

Palmer gave RSL a 2-1 lead seven minutes into the second half. After making a run through the Brandon half, he unleashed a shot that took a wicked deflection off Brandon’s Jonathan Sass, leaving goalkeeper Anthony DeRosse stranded.

With both players lacking any substitutes, the heat soon began to take a toll, and RSL were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Griffin was too unwell to continue. The man-advantage allowed Brandon to create chances, but RSL had opportunities of their own, Greg Sasser hitting the crossbar with a strong header.

Brandon came on stronger as the game drew on, with RSL goalkeeper Brad Sienkiewicz being forced into a pair of great saves. Brandon made its pressure tell with 11 minutes to go, however, as Riddle found the back of the net after Sienkiewicz was unable to handle a sharp initial shot.

“We worked so hard for it,” Riddle said. “We did a great job keeping them out, and I thought we’d at least get a tie or a win out of this.”

At that point it seemed to be Brandon’s game for the taking, but with three minutes to go Juan Arbelaez slide a ball through that put Asare-Bediako in behind the defense. Asare-Bediako showed good patience before shooting low into the left corner and give RSL all three points.

“It was good,” Asare-Bediako said. “We came here for a win, and as soon as they scored we had to get back on the attack again.”

Brandon’s defenders were appealing for offside on Asare-Bediako’s run, but the goal was allowed to stand.

“Whether or not he was off, I don’t know,” Riddle said. “If he was off, then it really does suck for us because we tried so hard with only eleven players as they did. They’re a very good team, they moved the ball very well, but it was disappointing.”

The win moves RSL one step closer to the Super-Y North American finals to be held in Tampa beginning November 10. Centerback Dami Phillips said the team was happy to take another win.

“It was so hot, but we’re a hell of a team,” Phillips said. “We’ll go to the finals.”