THIS WEEK AT RSL
Week of August 5 – August 11
Real Salt Lake
RSL continued its run of form with a 3-1 win over New York City FC on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium, improving to 4-1-3 since returning from the Gold Cup break in mid-June while posting the best defensive stats in MLS in that time. FW Jefferson Savarino, MF Albert Rusnák and MF Nick Besler all scored on the night while GK Nick Rimando made six saves in the win, moving RSL to 10-9-4 (34 points) on the season, good for sixth in the Western Conference.
RSL will take to the road to face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday from Children’s Mercy Park before returning home for three straight matches at Rio Tinto Stadium. In their previous meeting with their West rivals in June, FW Sam Johnson scored twice and MF Damir Kreilach had two assists in a 2-0 win at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match on Saturday is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on KMYU and streamed on the KSL TV app and KSL.com, with radio coverage on ESPN700.
In other action, Rimando and GK David Ochoa spent the beginning of the week in Orlando for the 2019 MLS All-Star Week. Rimando played the final 32 minutes against Atletico Madrid in the MLS All-Star Game – his ninth overall and eighth with Real Salt Lake while Ochoa played in the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game against the Chivas de Guadalajara U-20s before serving as goalkeeper in the MLS Skills Challenge.
Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC got a season-high six saves from GK Nicole Barnhart, but dropped a 2-0 result to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday night at SeatGeek Stadium. The loss extends URFC’s winless run to six straight matches and drops its record to 5-6-3 (18 points) and seventh in the NWSL, but just five points out of fourth place with two matches this week.
This week, Royals FC will host Sky Blue FC on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT with live coverage on the KSL TV app and ESPN 700. Then on Sunday, URFC heads to Cheney Stadium to face Reign FC at 2 p.m. MT with a live broadcast on KMYU in addition to coverage on the KSL TV app and ESPN 700.
In international action on Saturday, FW Christen Press logged two assists as the U.S. ousted Ireland 3-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in a friendly. DF Becky Sauerbrunn and DF Kelley O’Hara also started in the match as the U.S. started its victory tour in celebration of the 2019 FIFA World Cup championship.
Real Monarchs SLC
Real Monarchs SLC improved to 6-1-1 in the last eight matches when FW Damian German scored his first professional goal in the 86th minute to claim victory over the Colorado Spring Switchbacks. GK Andrew Putna – on loan from RSL – made two saves in the shutout victory, lifting the Monarchs to 9-7-4 (31 points) on the season and sixth place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference.
The Monarchs remain at home this week, hosting the Tulsa Rouchnecks on Saturday at 8 p.m. MT at Zions Bank Stadium. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.
RSL Foundation
The RSL Foundation has two big events this week.
Goals for Girls Leadership Summit : 8/5-8/7
The RSL Foundation and Utah Royals FC will be partnering with Goals for Girls to host a Girls Leadership Summit at RSL Academy High School and Zions Bank Real Academy. The Leadership Summit is a three-day event that brings together girls from diverse backgrounds from across Utah and the USA. The Summit teaches leadership principles to girls that can be adapted on and off the field, in addition to training on the pitch with some of the best women’s players in Utah and beyond.
United Way Stuff the Bus: 8/10
The RSL Foundation will be hosting United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign this Saturday, August 10th – 9:30am – 12:00pm out at RSL Plaza. 400 volunteers will fill over 5,000 backpacks with school supplies for students in need.
