ST. PAUL, Minnesota – (Saturday, April 24, 2021) – Real Salt Lake (1-0-0, 3 points) outlasted Minnesota United in the first match of the 2021 season on Saturday, winning 2-1 for the club’s first-ever win at Allianz Field.
Anderson Julio scored two first-half goals, both assisted by Rubio Rubin as the newcomers came up big in their RSL debuts. Goalkeeper David Ochoa made one save to preserve his first MLS victory.
Postgame Quotes from RSLvMIN.
RSL was outshot 12-5 in the first half, but held Minnesota without a shot on goal. And while Minnesota held majority of the possession, Real Salt Lake found success in the counter attack. In the 31st minute, a quick-strike counter gave RSL the 1-0 advantage when Julio scored his first of the night. He doubled the lead in the 41st minute on a ball across the middle from Rubin, who pounced on a misplayed ball from the Minnesota defense to open the attack and RSL went into halftime toting a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, RSL held more possession and continued to limit opportunities for Minnesota. Late in the match, the Loons pulled one back on a goal from Robin Lod, but RSL held on through stoppage time to earn the victory to open the 2021 season.
UP NEXT: RSL will face Sporting Kansas City in the 2021 home opener at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL: Anderson Julio (Rubio Rubin) 31’ – With RSL exploding on the counter attack, Anderson Julio raced up the middle of the field. His ball to the edge of the 18 was defended into the path of Rubio Rubin, who was brought down but he got enough on it to leave it for Julio for a first-time shot into the open net for a 1-0 lead.
RSL: Anderson Julio (Rubio Rubin) 41’ – On a misplayed ball by Minnesota’s backline, Rubio Rubin charged in behind the defense. As a defender shifted to cut off the shooting angle, Rubin played it to Anderson Julio coming down the middle for a first-time shot into the open net to make it 2-0.
MIN: Robin Lod (Justin McMaster) 86’ – Robin Lod played a ball to Justin McMaster in the middle of the box and he turned a volley back to Lod coming up the right side of the box. He spun a left-footed side-winder past a diving David Ochoa for his first goal of the season to cut RSL’s lead to 2-1.
NOTES:
- RSL midfielder Albert Rusnàk wore the captain’s armband.
- Anderson Julio and Rubio Rubin made their MLS debuts in the starting lineup for RSL.
- RSL have not lost a season opener since the 2009 season.
- Julio was the first player to net a brace in his club debut since Robbie Findley on June 23, 2007.
- Real Salt Lake started four Homegrown players – David Ochoa, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera and Donny Toia. Additionally, four of the substitutions were players formerly signed with Real Monarchs in the USL Championship – Nick Besler, Douglas Martinez, Maikel Chang and Justin Portillo.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Minnesota United
Date: April 24, 2021
Venue: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minnesota
Attendance: 4,100
Weather: Clear and 48
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 2 0 2
Minnesota 0 1 1
RSL: Anderson Julio (Rubio Rubin) 31’
RSL: Anderson Julio (Rubio Rubin) 41’
MIN: Robin Lod (Justin McMaster) 86’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): David Ochoa; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia; Everton Luiz (Nick Besler 70’), Pablo Ruiz (Justin Portillo 90’+5); Albert Rusnàk (Maikel Chang 90’+5), Damir Kreilach, Anderson Julio (Justin Meram 70’); Rubio Rubin (Douglas Martinez 78’).
Subs not used: Zac MacMath, Erik Holt, Andrew Brody, Ashtone Morgan, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang.
Minnesota United (4-2-3-1): Dayne St. Clair; Romain Metanire, Michael Boxall, Jukka Raitala, Chase Gasper; Jan Gregus (Hassani Dotson 65’), Wil Trapp; Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso, Ethan Finlay (Justin McMaster 65’); Juan Agudelo (Osvaldo Alonso 75’).
Subs not used: Tyler Miller, Brent Kallman, DJ Taylor, Nabilai Kibunguchy, Jacori Hayes, Foster Langsdorf.
Stats Summary: RSL / MIN
Shots: 11 / 23
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 2 / 6
Fouls: 12 / 9
Offside: 3 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Everton Luiz (caution) 24’
RSL: Pablo Ruiz (caution) 35’
RSL: Justin Meram (caution) 73’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Cory Richardson
4th Official: Baldomero Toledo
VAR: Sorin Stoica
AVAR: Eric Boria
