Sandy, Utah (Saturday, May 27, 2017) – Real Salt Lake (4-8-2, 14pts) downed Eastern Conference foe Philadelphia Union courtesy of a first-half goal from FW Joao Plata to take all three points at Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL nearly went down in the tenth minute as the Union created a shot towards an open RSL net but DF Aaron Maund did well to clear the ball off the line.
The first half saw RSL sustain the majority of the possession and create numerous chances before Plata got his goal in the 36th minute. Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake was kept busy during the first 45, earning multiple incredible stops to keep Philadelphia in the game.
MF Albert Rusnák was the catalyst for RSL in the second half as he put the RSL attack in positions to score throughout the half. The second half, much like the first, saw RSL hold the majority of the possession and chances created as the backline stood firm. GK Nick Rimando had three saves to earn his 132nd career shutout and third of the season en-route to the win.
Head Coach Mike Petke now sits 4-5-0 as RSL’s head man, including a 3-2-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
UP NEXT: RSL will head south for a Texas two-step as they take on the Houston Dynamo on May 31 (6:30 pm MST kick-off) and then will travel to Toyota Stadium to take on FC Dallas for the second time in 2017 on June 3 (6:00 pm MST kick-off). Last year RSL went 1-1-0 against the Dynamo, winning at home in late April before dropping a 1-0 result at BBVA Compass Stadium just two weeks later. RSL currently sits 0-1-0 against the Hoops from Dallas this year after falling 3-0 at Rio Tinto on May 6.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL – Joao Plata (Jefferson Savarino) 36th minute: A counter attack started by Tony Beltran put Savarino in yet another good position inside the box after good combination play near the top of the area. Savarino elected to cross the ball to a wide-open Joao Plata who redirected home from close range.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
PHIL – Andre Blake, 8th minute: RSL forward Joao Plata received a ball with space for a shot thirty yards from goal. Plata fired a low driven shot towards the far post but Blake was up to the task as he batted away the early effort for a corner.
RSL – Sunny, 10th minute: A quick counter attack saw the Union break for a chance on goal. Union midfielder Ilsinho elected to play the ball across the box instead of having a shot but Sunny was there defensively to cut the pass out and clear the danger.
RSL – Aaron Maund, 18th minute: Another quick counter put Philadelphia in for a chance on goal as Union midfielder Fafa Picault tried to chip RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Rimando saved the first attempt but at the second time of asking Picault tried to bounce the ball into the open net but Maund followed the shot and cleared the off the goal line.
PHIL – Andre Blake, 21st minute: RSL midfielder Jefferson Savarino did well to wriggle his way into the box and create a scoring chance. He crossed the ball to Luis Silva who rifled a first time shot from eight yards but Blake reacted well to his left to parry away the effort for a corner kick.
PHIL – Andre Blake, 43rd minute: RSL striker Luis Silva attempted a curling effort from 20 yards that looked destined for the top corner of Blake’s far post. Blake went full extension to his right to tip the shot over the bar.
RSL – Nick Rimando, 75th minute: A corner kick whipped in by Philadelphia had the RSL defenders scrambling for positions in the box. As the ball began to drop near the top of the six yard box, Rimando was quick off his line to punch the ball clear of danger.
RSL – Nick Rimando, 90’+2nd minute: A free-kick from just outside the area forced Rimando into a big save as he punched the shot back into traffic for his defenders to clear the danger.
NOTES:
- RSL defender Tony Beltran returned to the starting XI after missing the last 10 matches while battling calf and back injuries. Beltran played the full 90 minutes against the Union.
- RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman missed the match against the Union due to suspension stemming from post-match decision from the MLS Disciplinary Committee. In his absence, defender Chris Wingert took on captain’s responsibilities.
- Of the three goals RSL has scored since Jefferson Savarino’s signing on May 8, he has now assisted on two of those goals.
- With the win, RSL now sits 4-0-5 all-time against the Union.
- A moment of silence was held prior to kick-off to honor the victims of the Manchester terror attack on May 23.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs Philadelphia Union
Date: May 27, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 18,305
Weather: Clear and 66 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Philadelphia Union 0 0 0
RSL – Joao Plata (Jefferson Savarino) 36’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Nick Rimando; Chris Wingert, Chris Schuler, Aaron Maund, Tony Beltran; Luke Mulholland, Sunny, Albert Rusnák, Jefferson Savarino (Omar Holness, 88’); Joao Plata (Justin Schmidt, 90’+1), Luis Silva (Yura Movsisyan, 64’)
Subs not used: Matt Van Oekel, Reagan Dunk, Jose Hernandez, Ricardo Velazco
Philadelphia Union: (4-5-1): Andre Blake; Fabinho, Oguchi Onyewu, Jack Elliott, Raymon Gaddis; Fafa, Picault (Jay Simpson, 61’); Chris Pontius (Roland Alberg, 71’), Ilsinho (Marcus Epps, 83’), Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin; C.J. Sapong
Subs not used: John McCarthy, Warren Creavalle, Richard, Marquez, Keegan Roseberry
Stats Summary: RSL/PHIL
Shots: 16 / 14
Shots on Goal: 8 / 3
Saves: 3 / 7
Corner Kicks: 9 / 6
Fouls: 17 / 14
Offside: 1 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL – Luis Silva (caution) 28’
RSL – Chris Wingert (caution) 52’
PHI – Oguchi Onyewu (caution) 70’
PHI – Alejandro Bedoya (caution) 77’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, Apolinar Mariscal
4th Official: Daniel Radford
