SANDY, Utah (Saturday, September 17, 2022) – Real Salt Lake (11-11-10, 43 points) suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to FC Cincinnati. The loss dropped the team into eighth place, tied with LA Galaxy on points, but outside playoff position based upon points per game and goal differential with two games remaining.
In what could be describe as a must-win for Real Salt Lake, the Claret-and-Cobalt struggled to find offensive rhythm through much of the first half, chipping back and forth with their Eastern Conference opponents amongst a heavily contested midfield. But in the 35th minute just after Jefferson Savarino caused Cincinnati’s defense to clear the ball out to the sideline, RSL was awarded a throw in. Midfielder Jasper Löffelsend took advantage of the slow-moving defenders and tossed a quick ball to the feet of Savarino, who scooped the ball up and serviced it onto the head of Maikel Chang who rose up to head it down into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Whilst the fans were still celebrating the first goal of the night, the referee awarded Cincinnati a penalty kick, but upon video review the call was reversed. But the visiting team would not be held back, leveling the score in the 44th minute when Brenner slipped one past Zac MacMath. Just when it seemed as if the two sides would enter the halftime break tied, Real Salt Lake was awarded a penalty kick after Cincinnati’s goalkeeper took down Sergio Cordova inside the box, but Pablo Ruiz’s shot was saved by Roman Celentano and the score remained 1-1.
The second half started similarly to how the first half ended, with the referee checking video review for yet another possible penalty kick, but it was determined there was no foul and Real Salt Lake was able to clear away the dangerous throw in. The Claret-and-Cobalt seemed to have the upper hand, putting up several chances to retake the lead, including a point-blank shot from Savarino in the 70th minute, but Roman Celentano was able to make the save. But, in the 76th minute Brenner was able to once again put one past MacMath to take the lead and eventual 2-1 road win.
UP NEXT: With just two games remaining in the regular season, Real Salt Lake will travel to LA Galaxy for its final road match of the year on Saturday, October 1 at 8:30 p.m. MT. The team will then return to America First Field for the home finale, MLS Decision Day, against Portland Timbers on Sunday, October 9 at 3:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
RSL: Maikel Chang (Jefferson Savarino, Jasper Löffelsend) 35th minute: Löffelsend took the quick throw in, finding Savarino near the endline who served it up into the air where Chang was able to rise up and head it downwards into the back of the net.
CIN: Brenner (Alvas Powell, Alvaro Barreal) 44th minute: Powell drove towards the endline before cutting back to find Brenner unmarked inside the box. Brenner put a right-footed shot just out of goalkeeper Zac MacMath’s reach.
CIN: Brenner 76th minute: After receiving the ball at the top of the box, Brenner spun around his defender and sent a shot past an out coming MacMath to take the lead.
NOTES:
- Bobby Wood (abductor) and Damir Kreilach (back) were unavailable due to injury.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati
Date: September 17, 2022
Venue: America First Field; Sandy, Utah
Weather: Clear and 70 degrees
Attendance: 20,222
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
FC Cincinnati 1 1 2
RSL: Maikel Chang (Jefferson Savarino) 35’
CIN: Brenner (Alvas Powell) 44’
CIN: Brenner 76’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (3-5-2): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva; Andrew Brody, Pablo Ruiz (Scott Caldwell 78’), Jasper Löffelsend (Braian Ojeda 46’), Diego Luna (Anderson Julio 65’), Maikel Chang (Justin Meram 65’); Jefferson Savarino, Sergio Cordova (Danny Musovski 81’)
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Nick Besler, Bryan Oviedo, Rubio Rubin
FC Cincinnati (5-3-2): Roman Celentano; Alvas Powell, Nick Hagglund, Matt Miazga, Alvaro Barreal (Ronald Matarrita 86’), Ian Murphy; Obenan Nwobodo, Luciano Acosta, Junior Moreno (Yuya Kubo 67’); Brenner (Dominique Badji 86’), Brandon Vazquez
Subs not used: Alec Kann, John Nelson, Allan Cruz, Sergio Santos, Zico Bailey, Raymon Gaddis
Stats Summary: RSL / CIN
Shots: 18 / 8
Shots on Goal: 8 / 3
Saves: 1 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 6 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
CIN: Nick Hagglund (caution) 33’
RSL: Jefferson Savarino (caution) 61’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Meghan Mullen
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Daniel Radford
