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Real Salt Lake falls 2-1 to Viborg FF

February 22, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SALT LAKE CITY (Wednesday, February 22, 2006) - Real Salt Lake played its seventh preseason match today falling 2-1 to Viborg FF of the Danish Superliga at the Sunrise Hilton in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. RSL's lone goal was an own goal scored by a Viborg FF DF Kingsley 'Mojo' Onyenekwe while Viborg's two goals were notched by midfielders Alex Nørlund and Martin Åslund.

"We came up against a well organized Danish team that played very good soccer. Defensively their back four were very strong and didn't allow us any space in the midfield," said RSL Assistant Coach Peter Mellor. "As a coaching staff we saw this game as a great opportunity to play an experienced, high caliber team. It's the type of game you want during your preseason to prepare the players for the 2006 season."

RSL started the first half slow allowing Viborg FF to dominate possession for most of the half. The Danish club would eventually tally the first goal 13 minutes into first half when Åslund sent a low ball to the top of the box. The ball was collected by Nørlund at the top of the box and he fired a shot into the goal putting Viborg up 1-0.

The teams continued to battle for possession with Viborg FF winning the battle again in the 36th minute. This time it was Åslund, who picked up a loose ball at the top of the box after a deflection off the RSL defense. Åslund did not hesitate, turning and finishing his shot to put the Danish club up by two goals heading into halftime.

RSL began the second half by bringing on MF Mehdi Ballouchy for MF Kevin Novak and new trialist DF Ricky Lewis for DF Gustavo Cabrera. With a renewed vigor, RSL won 50 percent of the battle for possession throughout the half. The team had several opportunities to bring the club within one goal, but could not find that final shot on target. The final goal of the match was credited to RSL after an own goal by Viborg FF Onyenekwe in the 90th minute.

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