PHOENIX, Arizona (Saturday, February 16, 2019) – Real Salt Lake scored four unanswered goals to trounce Phoenix Rising FC 4-1 on Saturday night at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.
RSL conceded after just two minutes after a giveaway in the back gifted a chance for Phoenix striker Adam Jahn, who slotted a shot past GK Nick Rimando. RSL responded quickly through MF Damir Kreliach who easily found the inside of the near post after FW Corey Baird did well to generate the chance.
Kreilach notched another in the 42nd minute when his clever freekick found the bottom corner for the go-ahead goal.
In the 62nd minute, MF Kyle Beckerman drew a penalty in which DF Brooks Lennon dispatched off the post and into the net for the 3-1 lead. MF Jefferson Savarino added a fourth goal in the 74th minute after fielding a beautiful through ball from DF Aaron Herrera before breaking in on goal, rounding the Phoenix goalkeeper and tapping into the open net.
The match saw five RSL Academy products start the match as Herrera, Lennon, Baird, Sebastian Saucedo, and Justen Glad all started the match. DF Donny Toia and FW Julian Vasquez both entered the match late in the second stanza, making seven total Academy products to feature on the night.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
PHX: Adam Jahn, 2nd minute: After a giveaway in the defensive third from RSL, Rising FC immediately pressed towards goal. Jahn received the ball at his feet and broke in on goal before beating goalkeeper Nick Rimando at the near post for the early lead.
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Corey Baird), 11th minute: A smooth break towards the Phoenix goal saw Baird break into the box with a chance at goal. Baird elected to lay the ball off to Kreilach who’s first-time shot found the back of the net.
RSL: Damir Kreilach, 42nd minute: After Corey Baird earned a freekick near the top of the box, Kreilach lined up a freekick, easily curling a shot into the far bottom corner of the net for his second goal of the night.
RSL: Brooks Lennon, 62nd minute: After Kyle Beckerman drew a penalty, Brooks Lennon dispatched off the post and into the net for the 3-1 lead.
RSL: Jefferson Savarino (Aaron Herrera) 74th minute: A wonderful through ball from Kreilach found the streaking run of Savarino who calmly rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home into an open net.
Match: Real Salt Lake @ Phoenix Rising
Date: February 16, 2019
Venue: Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex
Weather:Partly cloudy and 58 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 2 2 4
Phoenix Rising FC 1 0 1
PHX: Adam Jahn 2’
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Corey Baird) 11’
RSL: Damir Kreilach 42’
RSL: Brooks Lennon 62’
RSL: Jefferson Savarino (Aaron Herrera) 74’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando (Andrew Putna, 46’); Brooks Lennon (Tony Beltran, 78’), Marcelo Silva (Nedum Onuoha, 78’), Justen Glad (Nick Besler, 78’), Aaron Herrera (Donny Toia, 78’); Everton Luiz (Justin Portillo, 78’), Kyle Beckerman (Luke Mulholland, 78’), Damir Kreilach (Pablo Ruiz, 78’); Jefferson Savarino (Julian Vasquez, 78’), Corey Baird (Kyle Coffee, 78’), Sebastian Saucedo (Joao Plata, 78’)
