HOUSTON, Texas (Wednesday, August 23, 2023) – Real Salt Lake ended its 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run, just shy of what would have been the Club’s first final in a decade, suffering a 3-1 loss at Houston Dynamo. Forward Anderson Julio’s second-half equalizer forced an extra 30 minutes of extra time, but was not enough to overcome the Houston heat.
From the opening whistle, Real Salt Lake found itself under pressure, tasked with enduring intense waves of Houston Dynamo attack. The team looked to be in a dangerous situation in the 26th minute when Houston’s Nelson Quinones broke out towards goal, but a well-timed interception from **Andrew Brody** broke up the play. Moments later rookie **Emeka Eneli** put his body on the line to block what appeared to be a sure goal, keeping the scoreline level.
In the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Houston took the lead after a series of defensive misplays led to an open-goal opportunity for Hector Herrera, giving the Dynamo the 1-0 lead. Seconds later it seemed as if Houston had doubled its advantage just prior to the break, but upon Video Assisted Review the goal was determined to be offside and RSL entered the locker room with the one-goal disadvantage.
Houston returned to the pitch from the halftime break continuing to press for goal, but back-to-back saves from **Zac MacMath** kept the Claret-and-Cobalt within striking distance. MacMath came up big again in the 64th minute, making a massive save which sparked a transition play leading to the equalizer. Second-half substitute Julio pulled the team level in the 65th minute, rising up above two defenders to head down a tightly-placed cross from **Jefferson Savarino**.
With both sides seeking the go-ahead goal, the teams found themselves in an entrenched battle within the midfield. Houston continued to be the aggressor, but RSL’s defense and goalkeeping held strong. Neither side was able to find the winning goal in regulation and the match headed to extra time.
Houston recaptured the lead in the 105th minute, with Adalberto Carrasquilla hitting a low right-footed shot inside the far post, out of reach of the diving arms of MacMath. The RSL side was later reduced to 10 men in the 116th minute when **Brayan Vera** was shown red. Houston put the game away at the 120+3 minute after Luis Caicedo picked off **Braian Ojeda**, creating an open opportunity in front of goal, handing RSL the 3-1 extra time loss.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake quickly returns to Major League Soccer regular season play on Saturday, August 26th, hosting the very same Houston Dynamo side for Kick Childhood Cancer night at America First Field, featuring the world-famous “Teddy Bear Toss” with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
HOU: Hector Herrera (Amine Bassi) 45+5th minute: A miss-hit clearance from Andrew Brody left the ball at the feet of Bassi, who slid the ball to the feet of Herrera who skipped the ball into the open net.
RSL: Anderson Julio (Jefferson Savarino) 65th minute: From near the endline Savarino hit a short cross to Julio who rose up over two defenders to head the ball down, underneath the diving arms of the ‘keeper and into the back of the net.
HOU: Adalberto Carrasquilla (Amine Bassi) 105th minute: Carrasquilla hit a right-footed low shot into the far post.
HOU: Luis Caicedo (Amine Bassi) 120+3rd minute: Picking off Braian Ojeda at the top of the box, Caicedo initiated a give-and-go with Bassi to create an open opportunity in front of goal.
NOTES:
- Forward Anderson Julio’s goal marked the 12th of his RSL career off the bench as a substitute, equaling Robbie Findley for the most in Club history.
- RSL falls one match shy of seizing the opportunity to host a final at home for the third time in the Club’s 19-year history; RSL dropped 0-1 home decisions in the 2011 CONCACAF Champions League Second Leg to Monterrey, and the 2013 U.S. Open Cup to D.C. United
- Tonight’s loss to Houston snapped an 11-game unbeaten run against the Dynamo dating back to 2017, including a 5-game road run that saw RSL capture at least a point
- That MLS streak remains intact for Saturday’s league match, the longest undefeated run against a single opponent in Club history, and the second-longest active streak in MLS (LA Galaxy over Chicago Fire)
- Tonight’s match kicked off a run that sees RSL play four games in 11 days, with upcoming matches against Houston (Aug. 26), at Portland (Aug. 30) and vs. Colorado (Sept. 2)
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Emeka Eneli (Marcelo Silva 111’), Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Andrew Brody; Jefferson Savarino (Maikel Chang 96’), Braian Ojeda, Jasper Löffelsend (Nelson Palacio 70’), Diego Luna (Andres Gomez 46’); Chicho Arango (Danny Musovski 70’), Damir Kreilach (Anderson Julio 56’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers
Houston Dynamo (4-2-3-1): Andrew Tarbell; Griffin Dorsey (Daniel Steres 108’), Erik Sviatchenko, Micael (Ethan Bartlow 79’), Franco Escobar; Artur, Hector Herrera (Luis Caicedo 96’); Adalberto Carrasquilla, Amine Bassi, Nelson Quinones (Brad Smith 108’); Corey Baird (Ibrahim Aliyu 62’)
Subs not used: Steve Clark, Ivan Franco
Stats Summary: RSL / HOUShots: 11 / 30
Shots on Goal: 2 / 10
Saves: 7 / 1
Corner Kicks: 7 / 6
Fouls: 18 / 14
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:HOU: Griffin Dorsey (caution) 22’
HOU: Hector Herrera (caution) 38’
RSL: Brayan Vera (caution) 38’
RSL: Chicho Arango (caution) 59’
RSL: Emeka Eneli (caution) 67’
RSL: Andres Gomez (caution) 72’
HOU: Adalberto Carrasquilla (caution) 93’
RSL: Justen Glad (caution) 106’
RSL: Nelson Palacio (caution) 114’
RSL: Brayan Vera (ejection) 116’
