Real Salt Lake 1 vs. Atlanta United 2July 13, 2022; Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Real Salt Lake (8-6-6, 30 points); Atlanta United (6-8-5, 23 points)
Man of the Match: Winger Justin Meram made his presence known in his return to Atlanta United FC, securing his fourth assist of the season in his first return to Georgia since last appearing for the Eastern Conference club in 2019. The assist on Johan Kappelhof’s goal marked his 48th career assist, putting him just two assists shy of joining the 50 goal/50 assist club. In the league’s 26 year history, only 23 other players have reached this milestone. Meram was also a threat to find the net himself during the match with four shots and one on target, including a near equalizer just before the halftime break.
Telling Stat: In his seventh season in Major League Soccer, defender Johan Kappelhof scored his first career league goal to spark an RSL comeback attempt. Kappelhof recorded 151 appearances, 10 assists, and 12,573 minutes prior to netting the lone goal for RSL. Additionally, Kappelhof is the first Dutch player to find the back of the net in Claret-and-Cobalt in just his fourth match with the Club.
What You Missed: In the Club’s first midweek battle of the 2022 campaign, Real Salt Lake was unable to overcome an early two-goal deficit, falling to Eastern Conference foe Atlanta United 2-1. Defender Johan Kappelhof netted his first-ever MLS goal, while winger Justin Meram took one step closer to joining the 50/50 club, earning his 48th career assist and his fourth of the season. Additionally, midfielder Diego Luna made his first career MLS start as part of a rotated squad that saw five changes to the starting XI, including midfielder Nick Besler, forward Rubio Rubin and RSL Homegrowns Erik Holt and Tate Schmitt.
What’s Next: Real Salt Lake will now return to the RioT on Sunday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. MT to take on bitter rivals Sporting Kansas City. The University Of Utah Health Plaza on the east side of Rio Tinto Stadium opens at 5:30 p.m. MT, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at www.RSL.com/tickets.
