Aptly nicknamed “Sergigoal Scoredova” by Real Salt Lake fans. Your 2022 RSL Golden Boot winner is none other than Sergio Cordova.
The Venezuelan forward joined the Claret-and-Cobalt at the beginning of the Major League Soccer season on loan from Bundesliga and fellow Blitzer owned Club FC Augsburg. Cordova joined the Bavarian Club during the 2017-2018 season and scored seven career goals for the Fuggerstädter over five seasons which also included a loan move to fellow Bundesliga Club, Arminia Bielefeld.
Going into the year, expectations were high for the new RSL number 10, and the 24-year-old showed his skill scoring nine goals in the MLS Regular Season and providing two assists.
Cordova consistently provided an outlet for long balls over the top which he could use his large frame to hold up play while holding off defenders and then bring the rest of his teammates into the attack. He also formed a formidable partnership with countryman Jefferson Savarino with the duo frequently linking up on the field.
During the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Cordova would show up in a big way for RSL, scoring a brace within the first 15’ to give RSL an early 2-0 lead against Austin FC. Although Real Salt Lake would eventually fall in penalties, Cordova’s performance was one of the best of the season.
Cordova would also score two of the most important goals of the 2022 MLS Regular Season for RSL.
The first being on Kick Childhood Cancer night against Minnesota United. In the 7’ of the match, Cordova controlled a looping ball in from Savarino that ricocheted off a MNUFC defender, and slotted it in the far left hand corner of the net.
While running to the north west corner of America First Field he was showered with teddy bears, creating a memory that was shared not just with those at AFF, but around the world.
Secondly against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the heat of the MLS Cup Playoff race, Cordova got on the end of an Aaron Herrera cross, and headed in a pivotal goal to keep RSL in the hunt for a postseason berth.
Finishing the year with nine regular season and two postseason goals, "Sergigoal Scoredova” certainly did his part in helping RSL have another successful season.
