SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, August 30, 2023) – Real Salt Lake (10-9-7, 37 points, 6th West) saw its eight-game unbeaten road streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Portland Timbers, as forward **Chicho Arango**’s 83rd minute goal was not enough to complete the comeback.
With the team’s eight-game MLS road unbeaten streak on the line, Real Salt Lake entered Providence Park as the aggressors, dominating possession in the opening minutes. But it was the Portland Timbers who would break through first, as the home side caught RSL on the transition with a header from Santiago Moreno to take the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
For the remainder of the first half, Real Salt Lake struggled to find the equalizer, as the team seemed unable to connect its passes in the final third. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s best chance came in the 38th minute when **Nelson Palacio** launched a long-range shot towards the far post, but goalkeeper David Bingham was able to push the ball out for a corner kick. As a result, Real Salt Lake entered the halftime break still seeking the equalizer, down 1-0.
Halftime substitute **Andrés Gómez** found himself inches away from the back of the net in the 60th minute with a close-range shot, but his attempt was barely redirected around the post. The ensuing corner kick saw **Brayan Vera** smack his attempt off the far post, yet another opportunity mere inches from leveling the match.
Moments later, the Portland Timbers doubled its lead when Felipe Mora ran on to a short pass from Moreno and put his attempt into the back of the net. Facing a two-goal deficit, RSL desperately aimed to find the back of the net, but the Timbers’ defense held strong. That is until the 83rd minute when Vera skipped a shot through traffic, deflecting off the boot of Arango and into the back of the net.
The comeback would prove to fall short as RSL was unable to find the elusive second goal, suffering the 2-1 road defeat.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns to America First Field where it will host Colorado Rapids this Saturday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. MT for a chance to clinch the Rocky Mountain Cup for the third consecutive year, the 12th time in the last 15 years and for the 14th all-time
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Santiago Moreno (Juan Mosquera) 13th minute: Mosquera volleyed a ball across the face of goal to an unmarked Moreno who was able to head his shot through the arms of the goalkeeper.
POR: Felipe Mora (Santiago Moreno) 63rd minute: Transitioning down the field, Moreno received the ball on the far side of the 18-yard-box, where he one-touched a pass for Mora to run onto and place in the back of the net.
RSL: Chicho Arango (Brayan Vera) 83rd minute: Vera skipped a shot through traffic inside the 18-yard-box, where Arango was able to redirect the ball past the diving arms of goalkeeper David Bingham.
NOTES:
- Forward Chicho Arango recorded his second league goal, and fourth across all competitions for Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile, defender Brayan Vera earned his second assist for his role in Arango’s goal
- The goal was Arango’s 95th as a professional, leaving him five shy of what will be a celebrated centenary
- RSL ended its eight-game unbeaten road streak, one game shy of matching the second-most of such a streak in league history
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Bode Hidalgo (Andres Gomez 46’), Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Andrew Brody; Emeka Eneli, Nelson Palacio (Jasper Löffelsend 77’), Braian Ojeda, Deigo Luna; Rubio Rubin (Damir Kreilach 77’), Anderson Julio (Chicho Arango 57’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Marcelo Silva, Kevon Lambert, Bryan Oviedo, Maikel Chang
Portland Timbers (4-3-3): Davind Bingham; Claudio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Zachery McGraw, Juan Mosquera; Sebastian Blanco (Yimmi Chara 57’), Evander (Bryan Acosta 72’), Diego Chara; Cristhian Paredes (Larrys Mabiala 88’), Franck Boli (Felipe Mora 57’), Santiago Moreno (Dairon Asprilla 72’)
Subs not used: Aljaz Ivacic, Miguel Araujo, Eric Miller, Antony
Stats Summary: RSL / PORShots: 14 / 7
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 0 / 4
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 14 / 13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:POR: Diego Chara (caution) 34’
RSL: Braian Ojeda (caution) 45+2’
RSL: Brayan Vera (caution) 86’
POR: David Bingham (caution) 90+4’
