SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, July 3, 2019) – Real Salt Lake (8-8-2, 26 points, 6 West) extended its regular-season home undefeated streak to four matches with a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew SC on Saturday night.
Postgame quotes from RSL v CLB.
FW Sam Johnson netted his third goal in two matches to secure the three points in front of 19,030 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL nearly found the opening goal in the 32nd minute when MF Damir Kreilach’s shot from inside the area looked destined for the top corner, but Crew SC defender Alex Crognale stood firm near the post to generate the goal-line clearance. Just six minutes later, Johnson found his eighth goal of the season when he volleyed home a breakaway effort in the 38th minute with an assist from DF Aaron Herrera. The goal would prove to be the deciding factor in the match.
A heated second half saw both teams hammering for goal with RSL getting off several close chances. In the 59th minute, MF Albert Rusnák missed the second goal of the night by mere inches as his shot met the right post. While RSL outshot Columbus 9-2 in the second half, ultimately neither team was able to find the back of net and the match finished with just one goal on the night.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns to the road to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 6 at 8:30p MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL: Sam Johnson (Aaron Herrera), 38th minute: A long ball over the top from Herrera beat the entire backline of Crew SC, falling to Johnson who did well to control the ball. Johnson touched the ball with his head before volleying itpast Joe Bendik in goal for the opening strike.
NOTES:
- DF Tony Beltran (knee) was out of action due to injury.
- MF Kyle Beckerman was unavailable while serving a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
- FW Jefferson Savarino returned from international duty with the Venezuelan National Team on Wednesday and was unavailable for selection. He played two matches in the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, as Venezuela advanced out of the group only to fall to Argentina in the quarterfinal round.
- FW Sam Johnson scored his third goal in the last two matches when he claimed the match-winning goal in the 38thminute.
- GK Nick Rimando earned career shutout 148, his 112th in an RSL uniform.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew SC
Date: July 3, 2019
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 19,030
Weather: Partly cloudy and 89 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 FT
Real Salt Lake: 1 0 1
Crew SC: 0 0 0
RSL: Sam Johnson (Aaron Herrera) 38’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake: (4-2-3-1) Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon, Nedum Onuoha (Marcelo Silva 73’), Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera; Everton Luiz, Damir Kreilach; Corey Baird, Albert Rusnák, Sebastian Saucedo (Tate Schmitt 90+1’); Sam Johnson (Nick Besler, HT)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Donny Toia, Luke Mulholland, Joao Plata
Columbus Crew SC: (4-5-1) Joe Bendik; Hector Jimenez (Waylon Francis 73’) Adoubacar Keita, Harrison Afful, Alex Crognale, Pedro Santos; David Guzman (Artur 78’), Ricardo Clark, Niko Hansen (Luis Argudo, 66’), Eduardo Sosa; J.J. Williams
Subs not used: Jon Kempin, Gaston Sauro, Robinho, Patrick Mullins,
Stats Summary: RSL / CLB
Shots: 14 / 7
Shots on Goal: 3 / 0
Saves: 0 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 2
Fouls: 14 / 15
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Aaron Herrera (caution) 31’
CLB: Eduardo Sosa (caution) 32’
RSL: Corey Baird (caution) 55’
RSL: Nick Besler (caution) 62’
RSL: Sebastian Saucedo (caution) 80’
CLB: Alex Crognale (caution) 85’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Jason White, Cory Richardson
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Alan Kelly
AVAR: Eric Weisbrod
