We call it “soccer in its purest form”… the League prefers to call it the MLS Reserve Division. Whatever you deem it, the Real Salt Lake Reserves began their fourth season of it this morning at The Home Depot center against their counterparts from Chivas USA, and a late goal from newcomer Matias Cordoba allowed RSL to gain a point from a 1-1 draw to kick off their 12-game schedule in 2008. For all the details, make the jump with us… but first, some fun facts from today’s game:

• No less than six players with Southern California ties took part in today’s match for RSL. SoCal natives Chris Seitz (San Luis Obispo), Tony Beltran (Claremont), and Yura Movsisyan (Pasadena) all got the start for the RSL Reserves, while Brennan Tennelle (San Diego), Kyle Reynish (Valencia) and Tino Nunez (Long Beach, pictured below with family & friends) came into the match in reserve in the second half.
• Reynish, Tennelle & Nunez were officially reunited on the field for the first time since December 2006, when the trio helped the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos to the NCAA Men’s College Cup title (Reynish as a senior, Tennelle & Nunez as juniors)
• Today’s game also marked the official RSL debut of Cordoba, DF Jamison Olave, and all six of the squad’s rookies - Beltran, Tennelle, Nunez, Alex Nimo, David Horst, & Kevin Reiman.
• The versatile Nathan Sturgis donned the captain’s armband for the squad today and began the match at the deep midfield spot before shifting to the left side of the RSL backline as substitutions warrented in the second half.

RSL Reserves Strike Late to Earn 1-1 Draw at Chivas USA Reserves

CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, April 6, 2008) - The Real Salt Lake Reserves used a goal in second half stoppage time from MF Matias Cordoba to earn a 1-1 draw with the Chivas USA Reserves in a game played this morning at the Track and Field Stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson.  Kraig Chiles gave the Red-and-White the lead in the 14th minute of the match, but Cordoba’s rebound off MF Brennan Tennelle’s header that hit the left post drew the visitors even one minute into added time, allowing Salt Lake to head back to Utah with a point in tow.

The teams traded chances early in the game before Chiles, a rookie midfielder from San Diego, tok a pass from Anthony Hamilton and fired a low shot past RSL ‘keeper Chris Seitz. Chiles almost scored a second goal in the 30th minute, but Seitz got a hand to a 25-yard shot to put it out for a corner.

RSL forwards Yura Movsisyan and fabian Espindola linked up for two chances in the first half, but could not beat Chivas USA netminder Lance Parker. Espindola finally created the goal for Real Salt Lake in the 90th minute when he split a pair of Red-and-White defenders and sent a dangerous cross into the box. Tennelle won a header, which struck the left post, and Cordoba charged in to usher the rebound over the goalline for the equalizer.

After beginning their 2008 Reserve Division season this morning, the Real Salt Lake Reserves (0-0-1, 1 pt.) will have a month off before hosting their 2008 home opener on Sunday, May 4, against the LA Galaxy Reserves (10:00 a.m. MT, site TBA). Meanwhile, the Chivas USA Reserves (0-0-2, 2 pts.) will close out their home-and-home series for the season with FC Dallas at THe Home Depot Center on Monday, April 21.

Chivas USA Reserves 1 : 1 Real Salt Lake Reserves

MLS Reserve Division Match - Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. PT

Track and Field Stadium at The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif

Scoring Summary:

CHV - Kraig Chiles (Anthony Hamilton) 14

RSL - Matias Cordoba (unassisted) 90+

Chivas USA Reserves (4-4-2): Lance Parker; Brent Whitfield (Erik Robert 46), Eric Ebert, Bobby Burling, Gerson Mayen; Keith Savage, Daniel Paladini, Kraig Chiles, Jorge Flores; Anthony Hamilton (Nick Blanco 78), Justin Braun

Substitutes not used: Sam Reynolds

Real Salt Lake Reserves (4-4-2): Chris Seitz (Kyle Reynish); Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, David Horst, Dustin Kirby (Kenny Cutler 57); Alex Nimo (Brennan Tennelle 72), Matias Cordoba, Nathan Sturgis, Kevin Reiman (Tino Nunez 57); Yura Movsisyan, Fabian Espindola

Substitutes not used: Nikolas Besagno, Andy Williams

Cautions:

RSL - Jamison Olave (Reckless Foul) 63

RSL - Fabian Espindola (Persistent Infringement) 87

Ejections:

None

[All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial]