Real Salt Lake midfielder Jefferson Savarino and defender Marcelo Silva have been named to MLS Team of the Week for week 15 following the team’s 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. Savarino was named to the starting lineup, while Silva earned a spot on the Team of the Week bench.
Savarino recorded his first goal for Real Salt Lake since November of 2019, netting a mind-bending goal in the 81st minute to seal off the 2-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium. Additionally, Savarino provided the game-winning assist in the 22nd minute, serving in a cross on a corner kick for Marcelo Silva to put away early in the first half. Both his goal and assist bring his Claret-and-Cobalt total to 22 goals and 22 assists in 85 appearances.
Silva’s first-half goal marked the eventual game-winner and his fourth as a member of the Claret-and-Cobalt, as well as his second this season. On the defensive end, Silva contributed two interceptions and four clearances to earn the team’s sixth clean sheet of the season, tied for the second-most in the league.
This is the eighth time Savarino has been named to the MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week, his first since week 22 of 2019. Meanwhile, this is Silva’s fourth appearance MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week and his second this year, having previously earned a spot in week 9 after the team’s 1-0 victory over LA Galaxy.
Below is MLSsoccer.com’s full Team of the Week for Week 15 organized in a 3-4-3 formation:
F: Gustavo Bou (NE), Josef Martinez (ATL), Raul Ruidiaz (SEA)
M: Talles Magno (NYC), Luquinhas (RBNY), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN),* Jefferson Savarino (RSL)*
D: Jon Gallagher (ATX), Jackson Ragen (SEA), Graham Zusi (SKC)
GK: Carlos Coronel (RBNY)
Coach: Josh Wolff (ATX)
Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Marcelo Silva (RSL), Aidan Morris (CLB), Andres Cubas (VAN), Fabian Herbers (CHI), Dejan Joveljic (LA), Ercan Kara (ORL)
Real Salt Lake is set to remain at home for the first back-to-back series of matches at Rio Tinto Stadium this season, hosting Eastern Conference foe Columbus Crew next Saturday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. MT for the Club’s annual Pride Night. Saturday also will mark the Club’s first Fireworks night of the year, as RSL does not host an Independence Day Weekend contest for the first time in its 18-year history.
