SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, September 29, 2021) – Real Salt Lake (11-10-6, 39 points) stole three crucial home points against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night, securing a 2-1 win in front of 18,121 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Damir Kreilach scored his 12th goal of the year before Anderson Julio stole the three points with a stoppage-time winner with his seventh goal of the season.
Struggling to find its rhythm in the first half, RSL conceded several chances to the Galaxy who either failed to convert or were snuffed out by David Ochoa in the RSL goal. In the final minute of stoppage time, a moment of brilliance between Albert Rusnák and Kreilach gave RSL in the 1-0 when Kreilach’s headed effort was bobbled before crossing the goal line to send RSL into the halftime break with the lead.
The LA Galaxy stormed back and found a goal through Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the 76th minute when he fired a left-footed shot into the near post, bringing the score to 1-1. RSL would not be denied its eighth home victory of 2021 as second-half-substitute Julio’s moment of brilliance in the 95th minute put the home side up 2-1 late to secure the win.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake will now make its maiden voyage to Q2 Stadium to visit 2021 MLS Expansion side Austin FC on Saturday, October 2. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Albert Rusnák) 45th minute: se over his defender and headed the ball directly at goalkeeper Jonathan Bond who bobbled the save allowing the shot to cross over the goal line.
LA: Chicharito (Efrain Alvarez) 76th minute: After a clever interchange inside the penalty area, Chicharito found space to turn for a shot on his left foot which he fired past Ochoa and just inside the near post.
RSL: Anderson Julio (Damir Kreilach) 90+5th minute: Clipping the ball into space, Kreilach fed Julio into the attack with a 2v1 challenge. Julio took a touch out of the air, flipping the ball over two defenders before volleying a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the far corner.
NOTES:
- RSL extended its home unbeaten run to seven games dating back to July 21. During that span the team has earned a 6-0-1 record, outscoring opponents 14-6.
- RSL is tied for the second most goals of any team in the Western Conference having scored 44 goals through 27 matches this season.
- Real Salt Lake had four RSL Academy products in the XI and six on the 20-man roster. Additionally, four players on the 20-man roster were previously signed to the Monarchs.
- Real Salt Lake celebrated its first-ever Hispanic Heritage Night against the Galaxy. Prior to the match, a career fair was held for nearly 500 students where they had the chance to meet with multiple local executives and representatives from the Club to learn about career pathways.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy
Date: September 29, 2021
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Weather: Cloudy and 60 Degrees
Attendance: 18,121
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 1 2
LA Galaxy 0 1 1
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Albert Rusnák) 45’
LA: Chicharito (Efrain Alvarez) 76’
RSL: Anderson Julio (Damir Kreilach) 90+5’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (3-5-2): David Ochoa; Justen Glad, Erik Holt, Toni Datkovic; Aaron Herrera (Andrew Brody 78’), Everton Luiz, Pablo Ruiz (Nick Besler 84’), Albert Rusnák, Maikel Chang (Justin Meram 77’); Damir Kreilach, Rubio Rubin (Anderson Julio 78’)
Subs not used: Zac MacMath, Donny Toia, Noah Powder, Justin Portillo, Jonathan Menéndez
LA Galaxy (4-4-2): Jonathan Bond; Julian Araujo, Sega Coulibaly, Nick DePuy, Niko Hamalainen; Rayan Raveloson, Jonathan Dos Santos, Sebastian Lleget (Dejan Joveljic 65’), Efrain Alvarez (Sacha Klejstan 88’); Samuel Grandsir, Javier Hernandez (Kevin Cabral 88’)
Subs not used: Jonathan Klinsmann, Daniel Steres, Oniel Fisher, Victor Vazquez, Adam Saldana, Ethan Zubak
Stats Summary: RSL / LA
Shots: 12 / 20
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 10
Fouls: 6 / 8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
LA: Nick DePuy (caution) 46’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Ian McKay
4th Official: Victor Rivas
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Jeff Muschik
