SANDY, Utah (Saturday, September 16, 2023) – Real Salt Lake (11-10-7, 40 points, T-5th West) suffered a 2-1 road loss at San Jose Earthquakes.
San Jose jumped out to the early lead, with Cristian Espinoza finding Jeremy Ebobisse in the second minute, leaving the Claret-and-Cobalt chasing the game. The Earthquakes doubled their lead in the 15th minute, when Espinoza set up Rodrigues for a tightly-angled shot which tucked its way into the far post.
Real Salt Lake had a prime opportunity of the first half in the 23rd minute when **Chicho Arango** looked to have a breakaway towards goal, but an uncalled high leg from Rodrigues tripped him up, resulting in a throw-in. In the last minute of first-half regulation time, Arango finally broke through by brute force, pushing in the rebound of a headed shot from **Rubio Rubín** just over the line to cut the deficit in half heading into the halftime break.
After seemingly finding its offensive footing, Real Salt Lake returned to the pitch for the second half with more attacking prowess, pressuring the Quakes’ backline from the whistle. Arango nearly equalized in the 64th minute when he flicked a header towards goal, but the quick gloves of San Jose goalkeeper Daniel kept it out of the back of the net.
Despite the team’s best efforts, Real Salt Lake was unable to find the elusive equalizer, resulting in the 2-1 road loss. In spite of the loss, RSL still remains above the playoff line with six games left in the regular season, including back-to-back upcoming matches this week in Sandy.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake return to America First Field for a duo of home matches, first against FC Dallas this Wednesday, September 20 and then Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the Club’s annual Hispanic Heritage night on Saturday, September 23. Kickoff for both matches is set for 7:30 p.m. MT, with tickets available at www.RSL.com/tickets.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SJ: Jeremy Ebobisse (Cristian Espinoza) 2nd minute: Splitting two defenders, Espinoza found an open Ebobisse who tucked his shot underneath the arms of the goalkeeper.
SJ: Rodrigues (Cristian Espinoza) 16th minute: Espinoza slipped a short pass to Rodrigues who was able to get a touch on the ball, redirecting the shot inside the left post.
RSL: Chicho Arango 44th minute: Rubio Rubin’s headed shot was saved by San Jose’s goalkeeper, pushing the ball into the pathway of Arango, who was able to just push his shot over the line.
NOTES:
- Defender Brayan Vera received a yellow card in the 13th minute and will miss the team’s game Wednesday against FC Dallas as a result of yellow card accumulation.
- Forward Chicho Arango recorded his fourth league goal, and sixth in 12 games across all competitions for Real Salt Lake. The goal marked his 97th professionally, now just three away from the coveted centenary.
- Tonight’s loss denied RSL its seventh road win of its 2023 league campaign, the Club unable to eclipse the single-season high for road wins of six (set in 2012 and 2013)
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Andrew Brody, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Bryan Oviedo; Jefferson Savarino, Nelson Palacio, Braian Ojeda, Diego Luna (Andres Gomez 63’); Chicho Arango (Damir Kreilach 89’), Rubio Rubin (Anderson Julio 63’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Marcelo Silva, Jasper Löffelsend, Emeka Eneli, Bode Hidalgo, Maikel Chang
San Jose Earthquakes (4-3-3): Daniel; Jonathan Mensah, Miguel Trauco, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo; Jackson Yueill, Niko Tsakiris (Judson 78’), Jamiro Monteiro (Daniel Munie 90+3’); Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Ayo Akinola 90+3’), Cade Cowell (Paul Marie 63’)
Subs not used: JT Marcinjowski, Matthew Hoppe, Tommy Thompson, Oskar Agren, Michael Baldisimo
Stats Summary: RSL / SJ
Shots: 19 / 16
Shots on Goal: 7 / 6
Saves: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 6
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Brayan Vera (caution) 13’
RSL: Chicho Arango (caution) 69’
