COMMERCE CITY, Colorado – (Saturday, August 22, 2020) – Real Salt Lake (2-1-3, 9 points) fell behind in the first half, but got four second-half goals to notch a 4-1 comeback win over the Colorado Rapids in the resumption of play for the 2020 MLS regular season.
Maikel Chang notched his first career MLS goal and added two assists, while Damir Kreilach, Corey Baird and Justin Meram each tallied goals in the victory. It was the third goal of the season for Kreilach, while Baird and Meram each scored their first of the year. Andrew Putna finished the night with two saves to preserve the victory.
In a plodding first half, Colorado got the benefit of an own goal to take the initial lead. The Rapids outshot RSL 10-4, but RSL forced three saves from William Yarbrough in those four shots. Although RSL held 61% of the possession, possession in the final third was virtually even. In the 38th minute, a Diego Rubio cross deflected off of Aaron Herrera and into the net for an own goal that sent RSL into halftime trailing 1-0.
After a halftime adjustment with Head Coach Freddy Juarez bringing on Chang for Everton Luiz to create more attacking opportunities, RSL dominated the second half. In the 56th minute, Meram set up Kreilach for a thundering strike to equalize at 1-1. Chang then made his mark, scoring to give RSL the lead in the 76th minute, then assisting on goals to Baird and Meram to secure the 4-1 victory.
UP NEXT: RSL will host LAFC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MT in the first MLS match at Rio Tinto Stadium since March 7.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
COL: Own Goal (Aaron Herrera) 38th minute – Colorado took advantage an RSL turnover and found Diego Rubio up the left side. Getting down to the endline, he played a cross that deflected off of Aaron Herrera and past Andrew Putna for a 1-0 Rapids lead.
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Justin Meram) 57th minute – After an initial effort to break down the Colorado defense, Justin Meram centered a pass to Damir Kreilach 25 yards out. Kreilach thundered a first time shot into the top corner of the net to equalize at 1-1.
RSL: Maikel Chang 76th minute – Justin Meram played Albert Rusnàk into the box up the left side, but he was met by William Yarbrough charging off his line. The deflection spilled to Maikel Chang who slotted the rebound into the open net with a left-footed shot to put RSL up 2-1.
RSL: Corey Baird (Maikel Chang) 85th minute – Maikel Chang worked his way down the right wing and beat his man to the endline before cutting it back to Corey Baird trailing. Baird hit a first time shot inside the far post for the 3-1 lead.
RSL: Justin Meram (Maikel Chang, Corey Baird) 89th minute – Again working up the right side, Maikel Chang whipped a cross in for Justin Meram at the far post and he smashed a first time shot past William Yarbrough for the final 4-1 tally.
NOTES:
- RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman and defender Marcelo Silva were unavailable while serving suspensions.
- Douglas Martinez left the match in the 13th minute after being struck in the head with a ball minutes earlier. He will be further assessed upon the team’s return to Utah.
- Maikel Chang’s goal was his first MLS goal after scoring 19 goals with 17 assists in two seasons with Real Monarchs in the USL Championship.
- Justin Meram scored his first goal in an RSL uniform, giving him 44 career MLS goals.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids
Date: August 22, 2020
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colorado
Weather: Clear and 91
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 4 4
Colorado 1 0 1
COL: Own goal (Aaron Herrera) 38’
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Justin Meram) 57’
RSL: Maikel Chang 76’
RSL: Corey Baird (Maikel Chang) 85’
RSL: Justin Meram (Maikel Chang, Corey Baird) 89’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Andrew Putna; Aaron Herrera, Nedum Onuoha, Justen Glad, Donny Toia; Everton Luiz (Maikel Chang HT), Pablo Ruiz (Nick Besler 83’); Albert Rusnàk (Justin Portillo 90’+2), Damir Kreilach, Corey Baird; Douglas Martinez (Justin Meram 15’).
Subs not used: Zac MacMath, Erik Holt, Tate Schmitt, Justin Portillo, Milan Iloski, Sam Johnson.
Colorado Rapids (4-2-3-1): William Yarbrough; Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson (Kei Kamara 84’), Sam Vines; Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta; Younes Namli, Nicolas Mezquida (Andre Shinyashiki 71’), Jonathan Lewis; Diego Rubio.
Subs not used: Clint Irwin, Auston Trusty, Drew Moor, Jeremy Kelly, Collen Warner, Cole Bassett, Braian Galvan.
Stats Summary: RSL / COL
Shots: 10 / 15
Shots on Goal: 8 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 9 / 10
Offside: 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Damir Kreilach (caution) 78’
RSL: Maikel Chang (caution) 87’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, TJ Zablocki
4th Official: Victor Rivas
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
