SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, October 23, 2019) – Real Salt Lake (3 West) fell 2-0 to Seattle Sounders FC (2 West) in the Western Conference Semifinals, ending the team’s 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoff run.
In his final Major League Soccer match, GK Nick Rimando made a season-high seven saves to keep RSL in the game, but ultimately Seattle broke through to take the win.
Despite not finding the back of the net in the first half, RSL controlled a majority of the possession through the first 45 minutes with several chances on goal. The back-and-forth from both sides saw Rimando pressured several times, but the veteran goalkeeper maintained composure and helped keep the match scoreless at the halftime break.
In the second half it was Seattle who took the upper hand, scoring two goals to eliminate RSL from the playoffs. In the 64th minute, off a corner from Nicolas Lodeiro, Gustav Svensson headed home to open the scoring for the Sounders. Then in the 81st minute, it was Lodeiro who found the back of the net, assisted by Raul Ruidiaz and Brad Smith. As it pressed to cut the Sounders’ lead in half, MF Everton Luiz was sent off and RSL fought deep into stoppage time, but ultimately fell 2-0 on the night.
Postgame quotes from RSL v SEA.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SEA: Gustav Svensson (Nicolas Lodeiro) 64th minute: Pushing for goal, Seattle earned a corner taken by team captain Nicolas Lodeiro. Midfielder Gustav Svensson made a near-post run, getting in front of MF Kyle Beckerman, to get a head on the ball, flinging it over his back shoulder and into the back of the net to take the lead.
SEA: Nicolas Lodeiro (Raul Ruidiaz, Brad Smith) 81st minute: Raul Ruidiaz received a ball from the Sounders FC outside back Brad Smith that he immediately sent into an oncoming Nicolas Lodeiro who took a one-touch shot into the goal to double the lead.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RSL: Nick Rimando, 43rd minute: A counter attack from Seattle saw Nicolas Lodeiro pushing up the left sideline, making a cross into the box. Raul Ruidiaz split RSL centerbacks to get an open shot on goal that GK Nick Rimando was able to reach up and grab.
RSL: Nick Rimando, 48th minute: Seattle pestered RSL’s backline with two-consecutive shots on goal, but GK Nick Rimando made back-to-back saves with help from DF Nedum Onuoha to keep the Sounders out of the net.
RSL: Nick Rimando 61st minute: After being awarded a freekick, Nicolas Lodeiro took a hard shot directly at goal that appeared to almost slip under the crossbar, but GK Nick Rimando was able to fully extend upward to push the ball up and over the net.
NOTES:
- RSL fell for the second season in a row in the Western Conference Semifinal of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
- GK Nick Rimando made a season-high seven saves on the night as the match marked the last in his legendary career.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Date: October 23, 2019
Venue: CenturyLink Field; Seattle, Washington
Attendance: 37,722
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 50 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Seattle Sounders FC 0 2 2
SEA: Gustav Svensson (Nicolas Lodeiro) 64’
SEA: Nicolas Lodeiro (Raul Ruidiaz, Brad Smith) 81’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Nedum Onuoha, Donny Toia; Kyle Beckerman (Sebastian Saucedo 80’), Everton Luiz; Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák, Corey Baird (Joao Plata, 73’); Damir Kreilach (Sam Johnson, 76’)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Brooks Lennon, Kelyn Rowe, Marcelo Silva
Seattle Sounders (4-2-3-1): Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres (Xavier Arreaga 49’), Kim Kee-hee, Brad Smith; Gustav Svensson, Christian Roldan, Joevin Jones (Victor Rodriguez, 62’), Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris (Jordy Delem, 70’); Raul Ruidiaz
Subs not used: Bryan Meredith, Nouhou Tolo, Harry Shipp, Luis Silva
Stats Summary: RSL / SEA
Shots: 7 / 20
Shots on Goal: 1 / 10
Saves: 7 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 9
Fouls: 19 / 9
Offside: 2 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Nedum Onuoha (caution) 28’
SEA: Nicolas Lodeiro (caution) 81’
RSL: Everton Luiz (ejection) 84’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Nick Uranga, Kathryn Nesbit
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Jon Freemon
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
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