REAL SALT LAKE BOWS OUT OF MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT
Comeback Falls Short in 5-2 Defeat to San Jose
KISSIMMEE, Florida (Monday, July 27, 2020) – Real Salt Lake saw its 2020 MLS is Back Tournament come to a close on Monday night, falling 5-2 to the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16.
Forward Douglas Martinez scored his first goal for RSL while Damir Kreilach added his second of the tournament in the loss.
Postgame quotes from RSL v SJE.
The first half saw both sides with their share of possession before San Jose broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Cristian Espinoza fired a shot from inside the penalty area past goalkeeper Zac MacMath. RSL would respond just one minute and 13 seconds later however when Martinez was slipped through by forward Corey Baird before chipping the ball up and over the onrushing Daniel Vega in the San Jose net in the 22nd minute to bring the score level.
Three minutes into the second half, San Jose took the lead via a penalty kick from Magnus Eriksson as he blasted a shot off the outstretched hand of MacMath for the 2-1 lead. San Jose extended their lead in the 61st minute when Vako tapped into an open net after a failed clearance for RSL at the back. RSL drew a goal back through Kreilach in the 75th minute when defender Marcelo Silvasent a perfectly weighted through ball to Kreilach who sent a left-footed shot past Vega to bring the score to 3-2.
The RSL comeback would end there as Chris Wondolowski added an insurance goal before Eriksson notched his second penalty kick goal of the match in stoppage time to seal the match.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SJE: Cristian Espinoza (Vako, Magnus Eriksson), 21st minute: Smooth play in the midfield say Eriksson find the open run of Vako near the top of the area. Vako then sent a through ball into the run of Espinoza who buried his chance into the part post.
RSL: Douglas Martinez (Corey Baird), 22nd minute: Straight from the kickoff after San Jose took the lead, RSL kicked the ball off and found Baird who immediately flicked the ball into the path of Martinez. Martinez then took a touch in on goal before chipping home his first goal in Major League Soccer.
SJE: Magnus Eriksson (Penalty), 49th minute: After slipping Tommy Thompson in towards goal to draw the penalty, Eriksson dispatched the attempt, firing a left-footed shot off the hand of RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath for the go-ahead goal.
SJE: Vako (Andres Rios) 61st minute: After a botched clearance from RSL, Rios found himself inside the penalty area where he laid the ball across the face of goal to Vako who easily tapped home to extend the lead.
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Marcelo Silva), 75th minute: Charging forward through the center of the pitch, Silva found the run of Kreilach who held off his defender and slotted home a left-footed shot and into the back of the net.
SJE: Chris Wondolowski, 87th minute: Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas found space to sperate himself from a defender inside the area where he sent a square ball to Wondolowski. MLS’s all-time leading goal scorer put a faint touch on the pass for force a save from MacMath but the rebound bounced back off Wondolowski’s shin and into the back of the net.
SJE: Magnus Eriksson (Penalty), 90’+6th minute: A handball in the box from RSL gave way to Eriksson slotting home his second penalty of the match past MacMath to seal the win for San Jose.
NOTES:
- Albert Rusnák returned to the starting lineup after missing RSL’s final group stage match with a hip injury. He played 90 minutes in the loss.
- Douglas Martinez scored his first goal for RSL, chipping home in the 22nd minute.
- Alvin Jones made his debut for RSL, coming on as a substitute at halftime for defender Donny Toia. Jones played 45 minutes.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Date: July 27, 2020
Venue: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; Kissimmee, Florida
Weather: Rain and 76 degrees
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 1 2
San Jose Earthquakes 1 4 5
SJE: Cristian Espinoza (Vako, Magnus Eriksson) 21’
RSL: Douglas Martinez (Corey Baird) 22’
SJE: Magnus Eriksson (PK) 49’
SJE: Vako (Andres Rios) 61’
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Marcelo Silva) 75’
SJE: Chris Wondolowski 87’
SJE: Magnus Eriksson (PK) 90’+6’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia (Alvin Jones, HT); Everton Luiz (Kyle Beckerman, 68’), Pablo Ruiz; Albert Rusnák, Damir Kreilach, Corey Baird (Justin Meram, 68’); Doulas Martinez
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Erik Holt, Justin Portillo, Luke Mulholland, Nick Besler, Tate Schmitt, Milan Iloski, Maikel Chang, Giuseppe Rossi, Sam Johnson
San Jose (4-2-3-1): Daniel Vega; Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas 81’), Oswaldo Alanis, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima; Jackson Yueill, Judson (Florian Jungwirth 90’+2), Cristian Espinoza (Carlos Fierro 70’), Magnus Eriksson, Vako (Cade Cowell 81’); Andres Rios (Chris Wondolowski 81’)
Subs not used:Matt Bersano, Tanner Beason, Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Eric Calvillo, Jack Skahan, Danny Hoesen
Stats Summary: RSL / SJE
Shots: 10 / 19
Shots on Goal: 5 / 8
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 6
Fouls: 19 / 9
Offside: 0 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Aaron Herrera (caution) 29’
SJE: Cristian Espinoza (caution) 31’
RSL: Corey Baird (caution) 37’
RSL: Justen Glad (caution) 66’
RSL: Marcelo Silva (ejection) 85’
RSL: Kyle Beckerman (ejection) 90’+7
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Logan Brown
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Joe Dickerson
AVAR: Chris Elliott
