Atlanta, Georgia (Saturday, September 22, 2018) – Real Salt Lake (13-11-6, 45 points) hung tight with Supporters’ Shield-leading Atlanta United FC in front of a crowd of 72,017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. However, the top-scoring team in MLS proved to be too much on the day, as RSL fell 2-0 to halt a four-game unbeaten streak.
GK Nick Rimando finished the night with six saves – three in each half – while RSL limited the MLS all-time single-season scoring leader, Josef Martinez, to just one shot in the match.
In the first half, RSL withstood pressure from Atlanta’s potent attack throughout, with Rimando making key stops in the seventh minute and again in the 20th minute to keep the match scoreless. The in the 37th minute, Miguel Almiron crossed to Julian Gressel and Gressel ripped a shot inside the far post to break the stalemate. That goal would stand until half, but not without Rimando making another save after some fancy ballwork from Almiron and the teams went into the break with Atlanta holding a 1-0 lead.
Real Salt Lake looked to come back in the second half and FW Jefferson Savarino had two opportunities in the first 11 minutes. Just after halftime, he raced up the right side, but his near-post shot was saved by Brad Guzan. Then in the 56th minute he got in behind the Atlanta defense on a ball from FW Joao Plata, but his shot caromed off the post and RSL still trailed 1-0. In the 61st minute, Hector Villalba turned on a left-footed strike from outside the box that bounced off the bar and off the back of a diving Rimando to find the net to make it 2-0. While Salt Lake would press to find a goal, that score remained until the final whistle.
The loss was just the second defeat in the last ten matches for RSL, who remains in fifth in the West with four matches remaining.
UP NEXT: In a matchup of two playoff contenders, RSL takes to the road to face Sporting Kansas City on September 30 from Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff for the nationally-televised match on Fox Sports 1 is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
ATL: Jullian Gressel (Miguel Almiron) 37th minute – Miguel Almiron charged up the left side and got to the end line before sending a ball across to Julian Gressel at the far side. He chested the ball down then struck a laser off the half-volley inside the far post for his third goal of the season to make it 1-0.
ATL: Hector Villalba (Julian Gressel) 61st minute – Off a quick throw-in from Atlanta, Julian Gressel laid it off to Hector Villalba for a left-footed sidewinder that hit the post and off of the back of a diving Nick Rimando to go back into the net for his seventh goal of the season to put Atlanta up 2-0.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RSL: Nick Rimando, 7th minute – Miguel Almiron got out on the run all alone in the box and fired a shot from 15 yards out up the left side, but Nick Rimando made the initial save. The rebound fell to Hector Villalba but he put the second-effort over the crossbar.
RSL: Nick Rimando, 20th minute – Julian Gressel played the ball to Hector Villalba from the right side and he stung a shot toward the far post. Nick Rimando dove to his left and got a piece of it to deflect it off the upright and the rebound went right back into Rimando’s arms.
NOTES:
- DF Marcelo Silva returned to the lineup after missing the last six matches with a foot injury.
- The crowd of 72,017 was the third-largest single-game crowd in MLS history. The two higher attendance totals were set by Atlanta previously this season.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Atlanta United FC
Date: September 22, 2018
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 72,017
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Atlanta United FC 1 1 2
ATL: Julian Gressel (Miguel Almiron) 37’
ATL: Hector Villalba (Julian Gressel) 61’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon (Sebastian Saucedo 77’), Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera; Kyle Beckerman, Sunny; Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák, Joao Plata; Damir Kreilach.
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Nick Besler, Shawn Barry, Pablo Ruiz, Luke Mulholland, Corey Baird.
Atlanta United FC (4-3-3): Brad Guzan; Juilian Gressel, Franco Escobar, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Miles Robinson 88’), George Bello (Jose Hernandez 73’); Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi; Hector Villalba (Ezequiel Barco 81’), Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron.
Subs not used: Alec Kann, Kevin Kratz, Andrew Carleton, Romario Williams.
Stats Summary: RSL / ATL
Shots: 8 / 14
Shots on Goal: 3 / 8
Saves: 6 / 3
Corner Kicks: 3 / 5
Fouls: 9 / 9
Offside: 7 / 3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Sunny (Caution) 43’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Peter Marinkowski
4th Official: Ted Unkel
Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Terry Jr.
