Real Salt Lake Road Warriors Take All Three Points at D.C. United with 2-1 Win

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Saturday, June 17, 2023) – Real Salt Lake (6-7-5, 23 points, 7th West) defeated D.C. United 1-0 behind a 68.24 yard wonder strike from midfielder Pablo Ruiz in his own half, along with a second-half goal from Danny Musovski to extend the team’s unbeaten road stretch to eight games, matching a Club record from November 2013 to May 2014. 

RSL winger Andrés Gómez looked keen to find the back of the net early on with several opportunities, but goalkeeper Tyler Miller was able to stifle the Colombian’s advances. Following a free-kick opportunity, Real Salt Lake found itself in a bit of a panic, as a shot from D.C. United bounced around the six-yard-box, but after several attempts Andrew Brody was finally able to clear the ball out of the area. In the 22nd minute, Diego Luna slalomed his way through the midfield to find the feet of Gomez, but the winger’s attempt was blocked by Miller. 

In the 26th minute, Real Salt Lake received a man-advantage for the first time this season, as D.C. United’s Steven Birnbaum was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity from forward Danny Musovski, reducing the home side to 10 men for the remainder of the match. 

Just before the end of the first half, Ruiz detected Miller way off his line, prompting the midfielder to launch a wonder strike from several yards behind the midfield line, tucking the ball into the top-right corner, giving RSL the 1-0 lead and himself a clear candidate for MLS Goal of the Year. Ruiz’s goal was officially recorded as being 68.24 yards from long, going top 90 in his 100th career RSL/MLS regular-season appearance.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Claret-and-Cobalt were quick to double its lead in the 51st minute, Gómez drove towards the endline, cutting across to find Musovski, who tapped his shot inside the near post. However, D.C. United were able to pull one back just moments later when Chris Durkin capitalized on a poor clearance inside the 18-yard-box, cutting RSL’s lead in half. 

Up a goal and up a man, Real Salt Lake was able to withstand the remaining efforts of D.C. United to equalize, with the team’s backline and goalkeeper Zac MacMath preventing any and all chances from the home team, giving RSL the 2-1 road win. 

UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake remains on the road to face St. Louis CITY SC this Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The team will then return to America First Field on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. MT to host Minnesota United for the Club’s annual Pride Night. Gates open on the U of U Health Plaza at 6:00 p.m. MT, with fans encouraged to arrive early for special pregame ceremonies commemorating milestones for both Pablo Ruiz and Justen Glad.

GOAL SCORING SUMMARY: 

RSL: Pablo Ruiz (Andrew Brody) 41st minute: Brody slipped a short pass to Ruiz near RSL’s bench. From 68.24 yards out Ruiz launched a left-footed shot over the outstretched goalkeeper and into the top right corner of the goal. 

RSL: Danny Musovski (Andres Gómez) 51st minute: After driving down the right sideline, Gómez sent the ball across the face of goal towards Musovski who, despite being tripped and falling forwards, was able to tap the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. 

DC: Chris Durkin (Ruan) 53rd minute: With RSL unable to clear the ball out of the 18-yard-box, Ruan headed the ball down to Durkin, who tucked his shot into the far post. 

NOTES: 

• Real Salt Lake was without Anderson Julio (Ecuador), Rubio Rubin (Guatemala), Braian Ojeda (Paraguay) and Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela) - the quartet away on international duty with their respective national teams. 

• Midfielder Pablo Ruiz’s goal was officially recorded as being from 68.24 yards out. 

• Former D.C. United Homegrown midfielder Moses Nyeman made his RSL debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jasper Löffelsend. Nyeman is the 197th player to appear for RSL. 

• RSL Homegrown defender Justen Glad made his 200th appearance, the first Homegrown to do so for the Club.

Lineups:

Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Emeka Eneli, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Andrew Brody; Andres Gomez (Bode Hidalgo 63’), Jasper Löffelsend (Moses Nyeman 75’), Pablo Ruiz, Diego Luna (Maikel Chang 63’); Danny Musovski (Ilijah Paul 84’), Damir Kreilach

Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Tomas Gomez, Bertin Jacquesson, Delentz Pierre

D.C. United (3-4-3): Tyler Miller; Derrick Williams, Brendan Hines-Ike, Steven Birnbaum; Gaoussou Samake (Andy Najar, 71’), Russel Canouse (Ruan 46’), Chris Durkin (Donovan Pines 90+3’), Lewis O’Brien; Mateusz Klich (Erik Hurtado 46’), Cristian Dajome (Kristian Fletcher, 84’), Christian Benteke

Subs not used: Pedro Santos, Yamil Asad, Alex Bono, Jacob Greene

Stats Summary: RSL / DC
Shots: 18 / 15
Shots on Goal: 8 / 2
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 8 / 15

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Pablo Ruiz (caution) 10’
DC: Steven Birnbaum (ejection) 26’
DC: Chris Durkin (caution) 50’
DC: Cristian Dajome (caution) 84’
DC: Brendan Hines-Ike (caution) 89’
RSL: Zac MacMath (caution) 90+1’