SANDY, Utah (Saturday, October 1, 2022) – Real Salt Lake (11-11-11, 44 points) earned a road point in its last away match of the season, but the 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy keeps them just shy of a spot in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. With one game remaining in the 2022 regular season, Real Salt Lake will need to defeat Portland Timbers at America First Field on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in order to keep its hopes alive of clinching a position in the postseason.
In a must-win game with massive playoff implications, Real Salt Lake made quick work to pin LA Galaxy back deep in front of their own goal, earning three-consecutive corner kicks in the first four minutes. Despite controlling the opening minutes, it was Galaxy who earned the first real opportunity of the match, but a kick-save from goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the eighth minute prevented Julian Araujo from tucking the ball into the far post. Galaxy were awarded its second opportunity in the 15th minute when Riqui Puig was fouled by midfielder Scott Caldwell inside the 18-yard-box, setting up a penalty kick. Puig’s penalty shot attempt was kept out thanks to a diving save from MacMath, keeping the game scoreless.
The penalty kick save saw the momentum switch back to Real Salt Lake, pressing towards goal. In the 25th minute defender Aaron Herrera sent in a cross to the head of Sergio Cordova who easily flicked the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond to take the 1-0 lead. As the first half wore on, the two sides traded opportunities back and forth, but six first-half saves from MacMath preserved the scoreline, giving RSL the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
In the 68th minute LA Galaxy leveled the score after being awarded a second penalty kick. The referee Kevin Stott originally signaled no foul, but upon Video Assisted Review the call was reversed for a foul on Marcelo Silva. Forward Douglas Costa’s penalty goal knotted the match at 1-1. Galaxy nearly had the go-ahead goal shortly thereafter, but Puig’s deep shot ricocheted off the crossbar and was quickly parlayed out of a dangerous position.
Real Salt Lake pushed desperately to find the game-winning goal, second-half substitute Justin Meram nearly found it in stoppage time, but a stretch save from Bond kept it out of the goal. In the final minutes of the match defender Justen Glad had back-to-back headed chances, but was unable to thread either through past Bond, leaving the Claret-and-Cobalt with just one point from the 1-1 draw in its final road match of the 2022 regular season and just outside of a playoff position.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns to America First Field for its final home match of the 2022 regular-season on Sunday, October 9 against Portland Timbers at 3:00 p.m. MT. The Decision Day match will determine whether the Claret-and-Cobalt make or miss the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
RSL: Sergio Cordova (Aaron Herrera, Andrew Brody) 25th minute: After receiving the ball from Jefferson Savarino, Brody flicked a short pass to Herrera who crossed the ball in towards the middle of the 18-yard-box. The cross landed directly onto the head of Cordova who redirected the ball past Jonathan Bond into the back of the goal.
LA: Douglas Costa (PK) 68th minute: Galaxy were awarded a penalty kick after Video Assisted Review, Costa put his attempt up the middle and past Zac MacMath.
NOTES:
- Bobby Wood (abductor) and Damir Kreilach (back) were unavailable due to injury.
- Designated Player Jefferson Savarino earned his 100th Real Salt Lake and Major League Soccer appearance, 94 of which have been starts for the Claret-and-Cobalt.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy
Date: October 1, 2022
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Complex; Carson, CA
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
LA Galaxy 0 1 1
RSL: Sergio Cordova (Aaron Herrera, Andrew Brody) 25’
LA: Douglas Costa (PK) 68’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (3-5-2): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva; Andrew Brody, Scott Caldwell (Pablo Ruiz 72’), Jasper Löffelsend (Diego Luna 58’), Braian Ojeda, Bryan Oviedo (Justin Meram 86’); Jefferson Savarino, Sergio Cordova (Anderson Julio 58’)
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Nick Besler, Rubio Rubin, Maikel Chang, Bode Hidalgo
LA Galaxy (4-3-3): Jonathan Bond; Julian Araujo, Sega Coulibaly, Martin Caceres, Raheem Edwards (Chase Gasper 46’); Gaston Brugman, Riqui Puig (Sacha Kljestan 90+3’), Marky Delgado; Douglas Costa (Victor Vazquez 79’), Samuel Grandsir (Kevin Cabral 79’), Javier Hernandez (Dejan Joveljic 86’)
Subs not used: Derrick Williams, Efrain Alvarez, Jonathan Klinsmann, Daniel Aguirre
Stats Summary: RSL / LA
Shots: 11 / 16
Shots on Goal: 5 / 8
Saves: 7 / 4
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 14 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
LA: Javier Hernandez (caution) 45+1’
RSL: Diego Luna (caution) 90+1’
LA: Martin Caceres (caution) 90+4’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Frank Anderson
4th Official: Victor Rivas
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
