FRISCO, Texas (Saturday, April 15, 2023) – Real Salt Lake (2-5-0, 6 points, 10th West) dropped a 2-1 decision at FC Dallas, a late concession snapping RSL’s five-game unbeaten run in North Texas. Designated Player **Jefferson Savarino** scored his second of the 2023 campaign in as many weeks - assisted by **Justin Meram** and **Brayan Vera** - but the equalizer was not enough to earn a point at Toyota Stadium for the Utah side.
FC Dallas were quick to find themselves on the scoresheet, scoring in the fifth minute when 2022 MLS Young Player of the Year and U.S. National Team star Jesus Ferreira slipped a shot underneath goalkeeper **Zac MacMath** to take the early 1-0 lead. Despite giving up the early goal, it was Real Salt Lake who was in control for the remainder of the first half. The Claret-and-Cobalt created several opportunities for an equalizer, including a screamer from midfielder Pablo Ruiz, but Dallas’ defense and goalkeeper Maarten Paes was able to snuff out the dangerous opportunities to maintain its advantage.
In the final moment of the first half, it appeared as though RSL could have its best chance at goal with a penalty shout, as DF **Marcelo Silva**’s header looked to bounce off the arm of Dallas’ Sebastian Lletget, but the referee determined there was not enough to review via VAR or warrant a kick from the spot, the half ending 1-0 in favor of Dallas.
Immediately out of the gate from the second half whistle, Real Salt Lake put Dallas on their collective heels when Savarino nearly equalized in the 46th minute, forcing the goalkeeper to make the save off the goal line. Second-half substitute **Braian Ojeda** nearly had his first goal in an RSL jersey in the 64th minute, but his volleyed attempt was pushed out by a diving save from Paes. Finally, it was Savarino in the 68th minute who finally found the expected equalizer, as substitute Justin Meram served an inswinger perfectly onto the head of the Venezuelan Designated Player, bringing the game level.
However, Dallas would go on to retake the lead for good in the 88th minute, when Bernard Kamungo slid through the box to redirect a cross into the back of the net, giving the home team the late 2-1 lead and eventual game-winner.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake is set to finish the month of April with back-to-back home MLS matches at America First Field, hosting San Jose Earthquakes on the 22nd and Seattle Sounders on the 29th, both matches beginning at 7:30 p.m. MT. In between the two games, the Claret-and-Cobalt will travel South to face the Las Vegas Lights on Wednesday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. MT for the team’s first match in the U.S. Open Cup.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
DAL: Jesus Ferreira (Geovane Jesus, Sebastian Lletget*)\* 5th minute: Jesus drove towards the endline before sending a cross towards the penalty spot where Ferreira was able to run onto the pass and slot a shot into goal.
RSL: Jefferson Savarino (Justin Meram, Brayan Vera) 67th minute: Vera slipped a short pass to Meram on the outside where he took a quick touch before hitting an inswinging pass. Meram’s cross fell directly onto the head of an incoming Savarino who easily redirected the pass into the bottom-left corner of goal.
DAL: Bernard Kamungo (Marco Farfan) 88th minute: Kamungo ran onto a low cross from Farfan, directing his shot straight up the middle into the back of the net.
NOTES:
- Real Salt Lake were without Zack Farnsworth (ankle), Axel Kei (quad), Erik Holt (achilles), Andrew Brody (ankle) and Damir Kreilach (groin)
- Defender Bode Hidalgo earned his first-ever start in Major League Soccer. Hidalgo is the 20th Homegrown Player and the first Utah-born Homegrown to start a match in Major League Soccer, while serving as the second Utah-born player to start for RSL (Justin Braun, 2012)
- Jefferson Savarino’s 68th minute goal marked his 30th with Real Salt Lake. The Designated Player is now just one assist away from becoming the fifth RSL player to record 30 goals and 30 assists, with just 107 career reg. season games played for the Utah side..
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Bode Hidalgo (Emeka Eneli 65’), Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Brayan Vera; Jasper Löffelsend (Braian Ojeda 46’), Pablo Ruiz, Andres Gomez (Justin Meram 65’), Jefferson Savarino; Rubio Rubin (Ilijah Paul 90’), Anderson Julio (Danny Musovski 81’)
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Diego Luna, Maikel Chang, Bryan Oviedo
FC Dallas (4-3-3): Maarten Paes; Geovane Jesus (Ema Twumasi 81’), Jose Martinez, Marco Farfan, Sebastien Ibeagha; Facundo Quignon, Sebastian Lletget (Tsiki Ntsabeleng 72’), Paxton Pomykal; Paul Arriola (Jader Obrian 72’), Jesus Jimenez (Bernard Kamungo 72’), Jesus Ferreira
Subs not used: Jimmy Maurer, Edwin Cerrillo, Nkosi Tafari, Jose Mulato, Sam Junqua
Stats Summary: RSL/DALShots: 15/4
Shots on goal: 5/2
Saves: 0/4
Corner Kicks: 3/1
Fouls: 16/6
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Rubio Rubin (caution) 49’
DAL: Geovane Jesus (caution) 69’
RSL: Brayan Vera (caution) 74’
DAL: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (caution) 90+3’
DAL: Jesus Ferreira (caution) 90+4’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Sergei Boiko
Assistant Referees: Chris Wattam, Ian McKay
4th Official: Rosendo Mendoza
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
