Looking to build off a dominant road win on the previous weekend against the Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake ventured away once again at Philadelphia Union. Visiting Subaru Park, the Claret-and-Cobalt came to make a statement against the unbeaten Giants of the East.
Captain Chicho assisted Andrés Gómez with a no-look pass to open the scoring midway through the first half. Chicho dropped deep to win the ball, giving Gomez the opportunity to run in behind and fire one at the Union goalkeeper.
Despite a somewhat controversial Union equalizer early in the second half, from a goal flicked in from Dániel Gazdag, RSL stayed even-keeled and never lost hope, or focus. RSL dared to BELIEVE.
Newcomer Alex Katranis found his moment - again - in the 89th minute. As Braian Ojeda was fouled right at midfield, RSL earned freekick opportunity to put a ball into the box. Although Maikel Chang’s lofted ball to the far side of the box was cleared by Jakob Glesnes, it failed to clear Katranis 30 yards from goal. After taking a quick touch to settle, Katranis finds his shot, lacing the ball with power back into the far-side netting, beating three-time MLS goalkeeper of the year Andre Blake and the previously unbeaten Union, who were stunned as it rarely loses at home.
But winning on the road is what RSL does, with Saturday’s victory the 15th victory away during the 2023/24 season across all competitions. Both of Katranis’ goals this year have been stunning game-winners on the road, his first coming at Vancouver back on March 23. Katranis now boasts four goal contributions, with 2 goals and 2 assists this young season, while the win at Philadelphia brings Real Salt Lake to 5-2-3 / 18 points nearly one-third of the way through the season, in a first-place tie with LA Galaxy atop the West.
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