Real Salt Lake 1 vs. Austin FC 0
August 14, 2021; Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
Real Salt Lake (6-6-6, 24 points); Austin FC (4-10-4, 16 points)
Man of the Match: Forward Bobby Wood headed home his second goal of the season, but perhaps just as notable were the ensuing moments as he proudly strode over to the sidelines to celebrate with his family, with both his daughters watching their father play professional soccer for the first time.
Telling Stat: Real Salt Lake registered eight shots on goal, forcing goalkeeper Brad Stuver to make seven saves to prevent the team from finding another goal. Forward Rubio Rubin led the field, recording two shots on target as a late second-half substitute. Meanwhile, the team only allowed Austin to put one shot on target.
What You Missed: Goalkeeper Zac MacMath earned his second clean sheet of the season and second with Real Salt Lake, making one save against Austin to help the team earn the win and its fifth shutout of the year. Additionally, midfielder Jonathan Menendez recorded an assist for a second consecutive game, providing a cross for Wood’s headed goal.
What’s Next: Real Salt Lake will host Houston Dynamo FC for the third and final time during the regular season at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday. The last two matches between the Western Conference foes resulted in draws, the first a 1-1 finish at Rio Tinto Stadium, followed by a 0-0 end at BBVA Stadium on July 31.
