What You Missed: Aaron Maund won’t be up for save of the week – which is another issue altogether – but his goal-line clearance in the 17th minute was a thing of beauty. On his initial breakaway attempt, Fafa Picault was denied by Nick Rimando. However, the Union midfielder got his head to the rebound and sent it toward the open net. Maund hustled to recover and made the wonder stop just before the ball crossed the line with a right-footed clearance. For a team that had fallen behind in so many recent matches, keeping the zero at the back was a big lift.
So What: Now winners of two of the last three matches, Real Salt Lake will take on the Texas two-step with stops in Houston and Dallas in a four-day stretch starting Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium. With both teams playing winning soccer at home, it will be a difficult gauntlet to run, but with RSL finding its form of late, it’s just in time for a challenging week.
Real Salt Lake 1 vs Philadelphia Union 0
May 27, 2017; Sandy, Utah; Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Salt Lake (4-8-2, 14 points); Philadelphia Union (4-5-4, 16 points)
Man of the Match: Joao Plata netted his first goal of the season in the shutout victory. But it was much more than that that earned him the honor this week. He finished the match with six shots, including four on frame for his most productive match of the season. He has been steadily improving his consistency in recent weeks and to be rewarded with the goal was a boon. If the goal gives him more confidence, the offense becomes all the more dynamic going forward. Solid consideration also given to Sunny, who was a menace in the midfield breaking up Union possession throughout the night.
Telling Stat: RSL ended Philadelphia’s four-game winning streak in a thorough performance. While things have improved step-by-step in recent weeks, it was the eight shots on goal that were truly the difference in building toward the victory. There has been no shortage of opportunities in the attacking third, but putting those chances on frame has been the last hurdle. Forcing Andre Blake into difficult situations, throughout the match, the RSL offense was dangerous all night.
What You Missed: Aaron Maund won’t be up for save of the week – which is another issue altogether – but his goal-line clearance in the 17th minute was a thing of beauty. On his initial breakaway attempt, Fafa Picault was denied by Nick Rimando. However, the Union midfielder got his head to the rebound and sent it toward the open net. Maund hustled to recover and made the wonder stop just before the ball crossed the line with a right-footed clearance. For a team that had fallen behind in so many recent matches, keeping the zero at the back was a big lift.
So What: Now winners of two of the last three matches, Real Salt Lake will take on the Texas two-step with stops in Houston and Dallas in a four-day stretch starting Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium. With both teams playing winning soccer at home, it will be a difficult gauntlet to run, but with RSL finding its form of late, it’s just in time for a challenging week.
