FRISCO, Texas (Wednesday, October 27, 2021) – Real Salt Lake (13-12-6, 45 points) came from behind to steal a 2-1 victory at FC Dallas, earning the Club’s second-ever win at Toyota Stadium and regaining a place in the playoff race.
Damir Kreilach snuck in his 15th goal of the season, while Albert Rusnak netted his eighth on the way to victory.
The first half saw the home side generate several quality chances, jumping out as the aggressor, but David Ochoa was able to snuff out their shots on goal. However, Dallas was able to break through in the 20th minute when Justin Che chipped a long ball to the head of Matt Hedges who directed the pass up and over Ochoa to take the 1-0 lead. Bobby Wood got RSL’s only shot on target in the first half, but Jimmy Maurer was able to to make the save close out the first half with the 1-0 lead for the home team.
The start of the second half saw the tides turn, with RSL taking over as the offensive aggressor. Several chances smashed into the post and Maurer was tasked with making some far-reaching saves. It looked as if Justin Meram may have finally snuck one in just inside the 75th minute, but his shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out of bounds. Five minutes later, the second-half substitute set up the equalizing goal, providing an assist for Kreilach in the 80th minute. Meram once again proved to be the game-changer in the 90th minute, setting up Rusnak for the game-winning goal, sealing the 2-1 road victory.
RSL currently sits above the playoff line with three games remaining, including back-to-back at Rio Tinto Stadium. At home RSL is currently riding a nine-game unbeaten streak, good for the second-best home record in the Western Conference. Additionally, RSL enters the final week of regular-season play with a game in hand over the teams above them in the playoff race.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto Stadium for its final two regular season home games of 2021, first against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, October 30 and then the home finale on Wednesday, November 3 against Portland Timbers.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
DAL: Matt Hedges (Justin Che) 20th minute: Che lobbed a long ball towards the middle of the box and goalkeeper David Ochoa came out to retrieve, but Hedges was able to rise above him and head the ball into the back of the net.
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Justin Meram) 80th minute: From the left side of the box, Meram pinged a cross into the front of several Dallas and RSL players, Kreilach was able to stick a leg out and redirect the pass underneath Maurer to level the score.
RSL: Albert Rusnak (Justin Meram) 90th minute: Rusnak snuck a cheeky pass outside to Meram, who sent a pass back directly to him just inside the 18-yard-box. Rusnak one-touched the pass with his left foot to take the late lead.
NOTES:
- Forward Bobby Wood returned to starting lineup for the first time since August 18 and Jonathan Menendez got his first start since September 15.
- Forward Jeizon Ramirez (quad) was unavailable due to injury.
- Marcelo Silva is unavailable due to a quad injury sustained in the team’s match at San Jose on September 15.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas
Date: October 27, 2021
Venue: Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Weather: Clear and 73 degrees
Attendance: 12,486
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 2 2
FC Dallas 1 0 1
DAL: Matt Hedges (Justin Che) 20’
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Justin Meram) 80’
RSL: Albert Rusnak (Justin Meram) 90’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (3-5-2): David Ochoa; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Erik Holt; Maikel Chang (Andrew Brody 74’), Everton Luiz, Nick Besler (Rubio Rubin 81’), Albert Rusnak, Jonathan Menedez (Justin Meram 74’); Damir Kreilach, Bobby Wood (Anderson Julio 60’)
Subs not used: Zac MacMath, Ashton Morgan, Donny Toia, Pablo Ruiz, Justin Portillo
FC Dallas (4-2-3-1): Jimmy Maurer; Matt Hedges, Ryan Hollingshead, Justin Che, Jose Martinez; Jader Obrian (Andres Ricaurte 75’), Brandon Servania, Edwin Cerrillo, Szabalcs Schon (Paxton Pomykal 66’), Jesus Ferreira; Franco Jara (Ricardo Pepi 82’)
Subs not used: Edwin Munjoma, Bryan Acosta, Freddy Vargas, Kyle Zobeck, Bressan Nkosi Burgess
Stats Summary: RSL / DAL
Shots: 15/ 23
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 9 / 7
Fouls: 11 / 13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
DAL: Franco Jara (caution) 57’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referees: Jeremey Kieso, Chris Elliot
4th Official: Chris Ruska
VAR: Daniel Radford
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
