Real Salt Lake 2 vs. FC Dallas 1
October 27, 2021; Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Real Salt Lake (13-12-6, 45 points); FC Dallas (6-14-11, 29 points)
Man of the Match: Second-half substitute Justin Meram changed the course of the game when he entered in the 74th minute. After just one minute on the pitch, Meram set up RSL’s best opportunity, smashing the crossbar. Five minutes later he set up Damir Kreilach for the equalizer and 10 minutes after that he got his second assist of the night on the game-winning goal from Albert Rusnak.
Telling Stat: Midfielder Damir Kreilach scored his 15th goal of the season and is now two goals away from tying the RSL single-season goal scoring record set by Alvaro Saborio in 2012 when he netted 17 goals. The goal marked his 41st in an RSL jersey, putting him just five goals away from moving into the third-most goals all-time in Club history.
What You Missed: Real Salt Lake played their way back into the playoff race with goals in the 80th and 90th minute to steal the 2-1 victory. The win marked just the second time in Club history to earn all three points at FC Dallas, and gives RSL a 2-0-1 undefeated record against the team from Texas this season. In addition to Damir Kreilach scoring his 15th goal of the season, Albert Rusnak netted his eighth of the year, moving them both one step closer to becoming the first RSL player to reach double digits in goals and assists. Kreilach currently sits at 15 goals and eight assists, while Rusnak has eight goals and 11 assists.
What’s Next: Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto Stadium for its final two regular season home games of 2021, first against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, October 30 and then the home finale on Wednesday, November 3 against Portland Timbers. RSL currently sits above the playoff line with three games remaining, including back-to-back at Rio Tinto Stadium. At home RSL is currently riding a nine-game unbeaten streak, good for the second-best home record in the Western Conference. Additionally, RSL enters the final week of regular-season play with a game in hand over the teams above them in the playoff race.
