June 14 will forever be etched into the history of Real Salt Lake as it marked the induction of legendary goalkeeper Nick Rimando into the ‘Ring of Honor’ at America First Field. On account of the momentous occasion, RSL had the difficult yet necessary task of delivering a win for the former star and the fans who came to show their support.
The night was more-than-satisfactory as RSL defeated D.C. United, 2-0, at home to end its seven-game winless run going all the way back to April. In a performance such as Saturday’s, multiple players were in their top form and everything clicked on both ends of the pitch. Among the key performers were the two goalscorers of the night, Johnny Russell and Zavier Gozo.
The 35-year-old Scotsman scored his first goal in the Claret-and-Cobalt uniform on his home debut and first game as a starter for the club. Despite only playing 45 minutes, he showed exactly why Sporting Director Kurt Schmid was keen to bring him onto the roster through free agency.
In the past few months on the other hand, the fans have been able to witness the growth of Gozo, from his first MLS appearance this season against Minnesota United to now. Each week that goes by, it seems that he continues to progress in all aspects of the game and tonight was no exception.
Johnny Russell Introduces Himself to the RSL Fans
During the first couple of months of the season, RSL was lacking goal-scoring opportunities and efficiency on the offensive end. They needed an experienced forward who the team could rely on to dig them out of the mud with crucial goals or goal creations. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni, along with the front office, recognized this and made the decision to target a few players in free agency. One player they landed on, that checked all the right boxes, was veteran Johnny Russell who was fresh off a long stint with Sporting KC.
In his first few weeks with the club, Russell needed time to adjust to the team’s tactics and get himself back into game shape. Still, the overall feeling around the club was extremely positive, as many believed they had finally found the attacking piece they’d been missing. Saturday, he made his first start, and fittingly, it came in front of the home crowd he knew well from his time in Kansas City.
The game unfolded exactly as the former Scottish international would have hoped, offering him the time and space to do what he does best: attack defenders with pace and precision. Playing on the right wing, Russell commanded respect from D.C. United’s back line, moving freely with the ball and consistently creating chances to break the deadlock. Just 23 minutes into the first half, he was rewarded. Playmaker Diogo Gonçalves threaded a perfectly timed through ball into Russell’s path, allowing him to surge into open space deep in the opposition’s half. His experience was on full display as he took a few controlled touches, approached the edge of the 18-yard box from the right, and cut onto his dominant left foot to unleash a low, accurate shot that beat the goalkeeper and gave the home side a 1-0 lead.
The home crowd went wild and were relieved to celebrate a home goal with the prospect of winning its first game since late April (and its first at home since April 5!). Only a few moments later though, Russell was involved in another well-established play that could’ve doubled the advantage but the result was not the desired one. As aforementioned, he only played 45 minutes as he was subbed off at halftime but his impact on the field was undeniable and his desire to succeed on every play was contagious for the rest of the team.
Gozo Gets His Goal
Zavier Gozo has caught the attention of many across the American soccer landscape. His strong performances this season recently earned him a call-up to the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team. With each passing week, he continues to impress, and it seems the sky's the limit for the young talent.
Tonight, he sealed the victory for the Utah club. In the 77th minute, Gozo buried a powerful right-footed shot into the back of the net, securing all three points for RSL. Initially, the central official called the play offside, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned. It was confirmed that Gozo had been in an onside position, and the crowd erupted with the loudest roar of the year so far. Apart from the goal however, Gozo was a key player throughout the 90 minutes for the squad. He was constantly moving into the open spaces, calling upon his teammates to put a ball into the DC third and was heavily involved in build-up play that created threatening opportunities.
This marks Gozo’s second goal so far this season and his ninth start in 13 appearances. Only time will tell how many goals he’ll finish the season with, but one thing is clear: RSL has uncovered a true gem. Now, it’s up to the club to nurture his development, as he’s destined to play a key role in their success in the years ahead.
