SANDY, Utah (Saturday, March 30, 2024) - Real Salt Lake (3-2-1, 10 pts, 2nd West MLS) returned home and captured the full three points Saturday against St. Louis CITY SC, as FW and Captain Chicho Arango provided the Club’s first hat trick since September 2018 en route to his 104th career goal as a professional and the second consecutive come-from-behind victory in as many weeks.
Never give in, never give up - or so the old saying goes, and Real Salt Lake delivered a second-half performance reminiscent of the famous adage with a thrilling comeback at America First Field on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
RSL now travel to Minnesota to take on United next Saturday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, where RSL drew 1-1 last season.
Captain Chicho Arango proved the star of the show Saturday, netting a stunning late hat trick as the Claret-and-Cobalt overcame an early concession to record its biggest win of the season.
In a game in which RSL hopes to seize the momentum from last week’s 2-1 comeback at Vancouver, RSL suffered the worst possible start at home, conceding the opening goal just three minutes into the contest. St. Louis midfielder Indiana Vassilev latched on to a poorly-cleared header outside the penalty area, driving and cutting into the box and curling a left-footed effort beyond the reach of RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath and into the bottom far-side corner to silence the home supporters.
RSL upped the ante in the aftermath of its unfortunate concession and quickly pulled one back less than 10 minutes later when forward, Anderson Julio, tapped home on the end of a low cross across the box from teammate, Bode Hidalgo, but the former was adjudged to have wandered offside.
RSL continued to pile on the pressure in search of a crucial leveler, with the opponents seemingly content to merely sit back and try to hit the hosts on the counter attack.
Following a choppy start to the second half, RSL was belatedly rewarded for its bravery early in the second half with a spectacular turn and finish in the 70th minute. In desperate search of an equalizer, RSL wing back Alex Katrnanis found Arango with a simple forward pass just outside the penalty area, and the striker took a first touch to control the ball before bending a powerful right-footed strike well past the reach of elite MLS ‘keeper Roman Bürki and into the bottom right corner to draw RSL level.
One home goal eventually turned to two in the 84th minute, when RSL was awarded a penalty - its first since September. 2022 at home against Cincinnati - for an opposition handball in the box. Arango stepped up once again, making no mistake from the penalty spot, rolling a right-footed effort past Bürki to give RSL the lead for the first time on the night.
With the game still in the balance, Arango would have the final say. Having won the ball high up the pitch from a goalkick, a quick one-two between Arango and substitute Diego Luna found the Colombian with acres of space in the penalty area. Chicho made no mistake with a deft right footed finish to the keeper’s near post to complete his marvelous hat trick and send the RSL faithful into pure ecstasy. The third goal represented a seminal moment for Arango, who celebrated his first-ever career three-goal performance for RSL
Arango’s hat trick was the seventh such feat in Real Salt Lake’s 620-game MLS history, and the first since former captain Damir Kreilach struck three times in a 6-2 home win over LA Galaxy  in September, 2018. Â
Tonight’s victory brings the early 2024 RSL season record to 3-2-1 / 10 points and a second-place tie in the Western Conference. Next up for RSL is a trip to St. Paul, Minn.,  to take on Minnesota United next weekend on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, at Allianz Field.
RSL 3 : 1 STL
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY: Â
STL: Indiana Vassilev, 3rd Minute:Â The 23-year-old latched onto a cleared header outside the penalty area before driving and cutting in to the box, and curling a left-footed effort beyond everyone in the area and into the bottom left corner to silence the home faithful.
RSL: Chicho Arango, 70th Minute (Alex Katranis): Alex Katrnanis found Arango with a simple forward pass just outside the penalty area, and the striker took a first touch to control the ball before bending a powerful right-footed strike well past the reach of elite MLS ‘keeper Roman Bürki and into the bottom right corner to draw RSL level
RSL: Chicho Arango (penalty), 84th Minute: Arango made no mistake from the penalty spot, clinically dispatching his effort to Roman Buerki’s right and leaving the keeper rooted to his spot.
RSL: Chicho Arango, 91st Minute (Diego Luna): Having won the ball high up the pitch from a goal kick, Arango exchanged a quick one-two with Diego Luna before receiving the return pass on the right-hand side of the penalty area, rifling a deft right-footed effort to the keeper’s near post.
RSL v ST. LOUIS CITY SC NOTES:
- Arango’s hat trick represents the seventh in Real Salt Lake’s 620-game MLS history,  and the first since former captain Damir Kreilach struck three times in a 6-2 home win over LA Galaxy in September, 2018
- Mastroeni made just ONE personnel change to the XI that started in last week’s 2-1 road win at Vancouver, as MF Matt Crooks replaced an injured Fidel Barajas
- MF Diego Luna, GK Gavin Beavers and FW Andrés Gómez eaxh were available off the bench after returning midweek from international duty
- RSL has now won back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 23 v VAN and Oct. 1, 2023 at LAFC, a 1-0 victory secured by a Chicho goal in the 81st minute
LINEUPS:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1):Â Zac MacMath, Andrew Brody, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Alex Katranis, Emeka Eneli, Braian Ojeda, Bode Hidalgo (Andres Gomez, 57), Chicho Arango, Matt Crooks (Diego Luna, 67), Anderson Julio (M.Chang, 76)
Subs not used:Â Bryan Oviedo, Nelson Palacio, Erik Holt, Marcelo Silva, Gavin Beavers
Saint Louis City SCÂ (4-2-3-1):Â Roman Buerki, T. Totland (K.Hiebert, 68), Josh Yaro, Tim Parker, A. Markanich, Chris Durkin (N. Thorisson, 88), N. Blom, I. Vassilev (S. Adeniran, 68), Aziel Jackson (T. Ostrak, 77), C. Pompeu, J. Klauss (R. Alm, 77)
Subs not used:Â J. Nerwinski, Ben Lundt, N.Dyhr, H. Kijima
Stats Summary: RSL / STL
Shots: 11 / 10
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 11 / 4
Fouls: 8 Â / 15
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Yellow (B. Hidalgo, 28); 8 Total Fouls
STL: Yellow (A. Markanich, 30); (T. Parker, 99); 15 Total Fouls
