Real Salt Lake 1 vs. 0 Toronto FC
July 1, 2023; BMO Field; Toronto, Canada
Real Salt Lake (8-7-6, 30 points); Toronto FC (3-8-10, 19 points)
Man of the Match:On the offensive end, second-half substitute **Anderson Julio** scored the game winner in the 92nd minute, capping off an incredible back-and-forth contest. Meanwhile, standout rookie **Emeka Eneli** was critical in the defense for Real Salt Lake, and was involved in a multitude of RSL’s scoring chances. Eneli was also a key factor in the buildup to Julio’s game-winning goal, pouncing on a rebound inside the area and centering a pass in front of net which was eventually tapped in by Julio.
Telling Stats: RSL extends its club-record unbeaten streak on the road to 10 matches, across all competitions (5-0-2 in league play), becoming the first team since the 2012-13 Portland Timbers to record a double-digit unbeaten run away from home. The road-win matches a Club record for most road wins in a single season with six first set in 2012 and matched the following year. RSL has now won twice in 10 total matches across all comps in Toronto (2-5-3). RSL also handed Toronto just its second loss at BMO Field this season.
What You Missed: Real Salt Lake’s chances came early and often in the first half. In the 11th minute, **Diego Luna** fired a shot from outside the box which took a deflection off a defender in front of net, redirecting away from the keeper but wide of the target. In the 25th, **Jefferson Savarino** fancied his chances from distance as well, but his shot sailed high above the crossbar. Just a minute later RSL’s first goal seemed imminent when **Jasper Löffelsend** dispossessed a Toronto player in a dangerous area, but his pass to **Danny Musovski** inside the box was slightly behind the forward who’s chip shot floated over the frame. In the 33rd minute **Zac MacMath** was called to action, making two saves in the span of thirty seconds to subdue Toronto’s advances. **Damir Kreilach** had a header opportunity in front of goal in the 42nd minute but the captain was unable to get the ball down and the highly entertaining match remained goalless at the break. The two teams continued to exchange chances in the second half. Toronto came within inches of opening the scoring in the 69th minute when Brandon Servania struck a shot which ricocheted off the post and then MacMath’s foot before being cleared out. **Braian Ojeda** nearly gave RSL a go-ahead goal in the 80th, curling a shot just around the far post. Kreilach had another opportunity in the 83rd on a volley from a Luna cross, but the shot was saved and Kreilach was ruled offside. Finally, in the second minute of stoppage time, RSL broke the deadlock. **Bertin Jacquesson**’s cross took a deflection off a defender before requiring ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh to make a diving save, pushing the ball onto the feet of Emeka Eneli. Eneli centered a pass to **Ilijah Paul**, who took a shot from point blank which was saved by a defender on the goalline. The rebound fell perfectly to second-half substitute Anderon Julio, who confidently sent the ball into the back of the net. MacMath made a critical save in the dying seconds, denying Toronto of a header to take the three points.
What’s Next?: Real Salt Lake returns home to the Beehive State on July 8 to take on another Eastern Conference opponent in Orlando City SC, with the help of the highly anticipated debut of striker **Chicho Arango**. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MT. Tickets for the match against Orlando and all home RSL matches can be purchased here.
