Jefferson Savarino and Pablo Ruiz Named to Team of the Matchday

Real Salt Lake forward Jefferson Savarino and midfielder Pablo Ruiz have been named to MLSsoccer.com's MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday Seven following the team’s 3-1 home victory Saturday night over visiting Charlotte FC. Savarino was named to the starting XI, while Ruiz earned a spot on the Team of the Matchday bench.

Ruiz started off RSL’s comeback win against Charlotte with an instant goal of the season candidate. The Claret-and-Cobalt began the second half brightly after going down 1-0 against the run of play midway through in the first half, finally breaking through in the 56th minute. Following a frustrating and nearly comical series of near-misses to open the final 45, the RSL attack was rewarded with a brilliant long-range effort from Ruiz that drew the game level.

Within minutes, Anderson Julio quickly put RSL in the lead with his first goal of the season. Savarino then capped off a stunning six-minute spell where RSL scored three goals in less than 360 seconds with his first goal of the season, giving thanks to newcomer Andrés Gómez’ second assist of the match. This is the second fastest the Club has scored three goals in its history. RSL would go on to win 3-1, ending a four-game losing streak and a 304-minute scoring drought, tied for the ninth-longest in Club history. 

This is Savarino’s 11th occasion in his RSL career that he’s been named to MLS Team of the Matchday, and first time this year. His last appearance came after Decision Day last season against Portland. Ruiz has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday once before, back in May of last season, and this is his first time he’s been named to the bench reserves.

Below is MLSsoccer.com’s full Team of the Matchday for Week Seven organized in a 3-4-3 formation:

F: Amine Bassi (HOU), Kei Kamara (CHI), Dénis Bouanga (LAFC)

M: Jefferson Savarino (RSL), Josh Atencio (SEA), Carles Gil (NE), Julian Gressel (VAN)

D: Franco Escobar (HOU), Matt Miazga (CIN), Mohamed Farsi (CLB)

GK: Aljaz Ivacic (POR)

Coach: Steve Cherundolo (LAFC) 

Bench: Drake Callender (MIA), Rodrigues (SJ), Sergi Palencia (LAFC), Mark-Anthony Kaye (TOR), Pablo Ruiz (RSL), Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Thiago Almada (ATL), Jesús Ferreira (DAL), Diego Rubio (COL) 

Real Salt Lake heads to Frisco, Texas to take on FC Dallas this weekend before returning home on April 22 to host the San Jose Earthquakes. Tickets for RSL’s home clash against the ‘Quakes available here.