Real Salt Lake 1 vs LAFC 5
March 10, 2018; Sandy, Utah; Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Salt Lake (0-1-1, 1 point); LAFC (2-0-0, 6 points)
Man of the Match: Joao Plata scored his second goal in as many matches and was active in his pursuit of more – notching four chances created, second only to Albert Rusnák’s six. On the lone goal for RSL, Plata drew the penalty, took the PK, then slammed home the rebound.
Telling Stat: The loss ended an eight-game home unbeaten streak, a five-game home winning streak and a 13-match unbeaten run in home openers for Real Salt Lake. What is most telling about those stats is how unpredictable MLS can be sometimes.
What You Missed: Prior to the match, the NWSL’s Utah Royals FC were on hand, signing autographs and snapping photos with fans before being recognized on the field at halftime. The inaugural match for the women’s club is fast approaching on March 24, with the home opener on April 14.
So What: The ninth-largest crowd in Rio Tinto Stadium history was on hand for the match and while it might not have been the greatest advertisement for RSL, the responses in the postgame press conferences of Head Coach Mike Petke and Rusnák was clear about the direction the team will take in preparing for the next match against the New York Red Bulls.
