Sandy, Utah (Saturday, April 7, 2018) – Real Salt Lake (2-2-1, 7 points) got back in the win column with a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium. FW Luis Silva and FW Jefferson Savarino each scored as GK Nick Rimando made three saves to secure the victory
In a physical first half that saw Mike Petke make two defensive substitutions because of injury, RSL took the lead just before the halftime whistle. After a scramble in the box and a penalty appeal, Salt Lake persisted and Brooks Lennon got the ball to Silva for a left-footed shot that caromed off his defender’s heel and into the net for his first goal of the season, staking RSL to a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Both teams would have their chances in the second half and RSL doubled the lead in the 88th minute when Savarino scored his first goal of the season, hitting a first-time shot after a stellar build-up from MF Damir Kreilach and FW Corey Baird, who was making his first MLS start. Vancouver would pull one back in stoppage time on a goal by Brek Shea, but RSL held strong to end the night with a 2-1 victory.
UP NEXT: It’s a short turnaround for Real Salt Lake, who will go on the road to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday (5 p.m. MT).
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL: Luis Silva (Brooks Lennon), 45th minute + 4 – After a scramble in the box, the ball went wide to Brooks Lennon on the right wing. He cut the ball into the box where Luis Silva collected it, turned to the middle and hit a left-footed shot past Stefan Marinovic and into the net for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
RSL: Jefferson Savarino (Corey Baird, Damir Kreilach), 88th minute – Damir Kreilach fought off his defenders in the midfield before poking the ball through to Corey Baird on a run up the left side of the box. Baird cut the ball back to Jefferson Savarino on the edge of the six-yard box, where he hit a first time shot into the opened net for his first goal of the season to double the lead to 2-0.
VAN: Brek Shea (Kei Kamara), 90th minute +2 – On a long ball from the back line, Kei Kamara headed it down into Brek Shea’s path. Shea hit a left-footed half-volley inside the far post to end RSL’s shutout bid, making it 2-1.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
VAN: Stefan Marinovic, 19th minute – Luis Silva unloaded on a ball from outside of the box that looked destined for goal, but Stefan Marinovic made a leaping left-handed swipe to parry it over the bar.
RSL: Nick Rimando, 67th minute – Alphonso Davies sent a ball in from the left side and had Nicolas Mezquida making a near-post run, but Nick Rimando smothered the ball to keep Vancouver from getting the opportunity to equalize.
RSL: Nick Rimando, 79th minute – Cristian Techera cut in from the right side and ripped a left-footed shot on frame, forcing Nick Rimando into a diving punch to keep it clear from goal.
NOTES:
- After scoring his first MLS goal a week earlier against Toronto FC, FW Corey Baird made his first MLS start on Saturday night, earning his first MLS assist in the victory.
- In subbing on for the injured DF Demar Phillips in the 13th minute, DF Adam Henley made his Real Salt Lake debut. He is the fifth player to make their RSL debut this season, joining Baird, DF Shawn Barry, MF Damir Kreilach and FW Alfredo Ortuno.
- RSL had six players on loan with Real Monarchs in the USL. GK Connor Sparrow, DF Aaron Herrera, DF Danilo Acosta and DF Nick Besler all started the match, MF Jose Hernandez appeared off the bench and FW Ricky Lopez-Espin was in the 18, but did not see action as the Monarchs prevailed 1-0 to improve to 3-0-0 on the year.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Date: April 7, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 16,015
Weather: Rainy and 55
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 1 2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 1 1
RSL – Luis Silva (Brooks Lennon) 45+4’
RSL – Jefferson Savarino (Corey Baird, Damir Kreilach) 88’
VAN – Brek Shea (Kei Kamara) 90+2’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon, Marcelo Silva (David Horst 41’), Justen Glad, Demar Phillips (Adam Henley 13’); Damir Kreilach, Kyle Beckerman; Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák, Corey Baird; Luis Silva (Sunny 82’)
Subs not used: Alex Horwath, Pablo Ruiz, Joao Plata, Alfredo Ortuno.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: (4-3-3): Stefan Marinovic; Jacob Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Jose Aja, Marcel de Jong (Brek Shea 74’); Efrain Juarez, Felipe, Nicolas Mezquida (Anthony Blondell 81’); Alphonso Davies, Kei Kamara, Bernie Ibini-Isei (Cristian Techera 65’).
Subs not used: Brian Rowe, Aaron Maund, Russell Teibert, Aly Ghazal.
Stats Summary: RSL / VAN
Shots: 9 / 11
Shots on Goal: 3 / 4
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 1 / 6
Fouls: 15 / 11
Offside: 1 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL – Adam Henley (caution) 17’
RSL – Marcelo Silva (caution) 28’
RSL – Justen Glad (caution) 56’
RSL – Brooks Lennon (caution) 75’
VAN – Kendall Waston (caution) 78’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
Video Assistant Referee: Alex Chilowicz
