Real Salt Lake Held Scoreless by League-Leading LAFC
September 5, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release
LOS ANGELES, California – Real Salt Lake (11-9-9, 42 points) were unable to hold off LAFC’s star-studded attack, suffering a 2-0 result on the road to the current Supporter’s Shield leaders.
With just six matches remaining in the 2022 regular season, Real Salt Lake traveled to Los Angeles for a matchup against the Western Conference leaders. Much like they have done all season within their own stadium, LAFC controlled much of the possession out of the gate, but traded shots and opportunities early. The California side nearly broke through in the 31st minute when a defensive breakdown by RSL put Kwadwo Opoku and LAFC on the counter attack, but Opoku’s shot curled wide.
As the half progressed, LAFC kept the pressure on, almost scoring in the 38th minute when a bending ball took goalkeeper Zac MacMath off his line. Denis Bouanga was unable to settle the cross and the ball was left just outside the six-yard box for LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead who fired a shot which was saved off the line by RSL Homegrown Aaron Herrera. With the half coming to a close, Real Salt Lake struggled to find an offensive spark, but a strong defensive effort kept the scoreline level at 0-0 heading into the halftime break.
The start of the second half saw LAFC find the breakthrough goal in the 50th minute when MacMath collided with defender Marcelo Silva while punching away a cross from Diego Palacios and leaving the net open for Hollingshead. The defender settled the ball in the center of the box and volleyed it into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The Claret-and-Cobalt saw its first major opportunity in the 53rd minute when forward Rubio Rubin received a through ball from fellow forward Jefferson Savarino and rocketed a shot to the near post, but it was saved by LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
The league-leaders broke through again in the 68th minute when second-half substitute Carlos Vela found Cristian Arango splitting the RSL backline and leaving him one-on-one with MacMath. Arango squeezed the ball between MacMath and the right post for the second goal of the match. After MacMath gave up a penalty attempt for a challenge on Sebas Mendez, the goalkeeper stopped the Southern California side from extending its lead, making the diving save on Vela’s penalty shot. Despite Real Salt Lake’s best efforts, the match ended 2-0 in favor of the home side.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns to Sandy, Utah on Saturday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. MT to host Eastern Conference foes D.C. United as part of Hispanic Heritage Night. The University Of Utah Health Plaza on the east side of the stadium opens at 5:30 p.m. MT, with gates opening for the crucial match at 6:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available.
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