Sandy, UT (Friday, June 30, 2017) – Real Salt Lake (5-12-2, 17 pts) suffered the club’s first home loss since May 6 on Friday night, falling to Orlando City SC 1-0 before 19,281 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Former RSL luminary Will Johnson scored the only goalin the match as Orlando earned the first ever victory in the series between the two sides. RSL is now 0-1-2 all-time against Orlando.
With the return of MF Kyle Beckerman, MF Sunny and DF David Horst to the starting XI, RSL saw most of the possession in the first half, outshooting Orlando 8-4. Sunny provided extra cover alongside Beckerman for the backline and Horst provided the organization and veteran savvy alongside DF Justen Glad. GK Nick Rimando was just needed for three saves.
Unfortunately for the hosts, the Lions broke through on the scoresheet in the 17th minute through Johnson. The Canadian cleaned up Jose Aja’s rebound off the crossbar on a Kaká free kick.
HC Mike Petke’s side searched for an equalizer and nearly found it right before halftime. MF Jefferson Savarino found a pocket of space from 30 yards out and ripped a dipper on frame. Joe Bendik was positioned well to fight off the chance and parry it away.
In the second half, RSL continued pressing, but Orlando solidified defensively. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s best chance came in the 63rd minute. FW Luis Silva was on the end of a FW Brooks Lennon chest pass combination. Silva took a touch, but Bendik was quick off his line to snuff out the chance.
Although Slovakian MF Albert Rusnák came on in the 77th minute to provide an added spark to the attack, the two sides were even for shots for the second 45, 3-3.
UP NEXT: RSL travels to Southern California for an Independence Day bout against the LA Galaxy (8:30 p.m. MT, Tuesday). LA beat Salt Lake in the first meeting between the two on May 18 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Emmanuel Boateng continued being a thorn in the Claret-and-Cobalt’s side, scoring the game-winner in the 74th minute. RSL is 6-10-1 against the Galaxy at the StubHub Center.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
ORL -- Will Johnson, 17th minute: Kaká floated a free kick to the far post where Jose Aja’s header caromed off the crossbar. Will Johnson followed the rebound and roofed the it past Nick Rimando.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
ORL -- Jose Aja, 35th minute: RSL were quick in transition. Nick Rimando spotted Joao Plata with room on the left channel. Inside the penalty area, Jose Aja recovered to block the Ecuadorian’s shot.
ORL -- Joe Bendik, 37th minute: On a broken play that started with a cross from the right side, the ball squirted out to Joao Plata on the top of the box. Joe Bendik gobbled the effort on a dive to his right.
ORL -- Joe Bendik, 45th minute: Jefferson Savarino found some space 30 yards out and sent a dipper on frame. Bendik parried it away for a corner kick.
ORL -- Joe Bendik, 63rd minute: Joe Bendik was quick off his line to snuff out Luis Silva. The Forward was on the end of a Brooks Lennon chest pass combination. Silva took a touch, but Bendik came out to deny the chance.
RSL -- Nick Rimando, 90+ minute: Cyle Larin fought off Danilo Acosta in the corner and found Richie Laryea on the byline. The Canadian sent a pass across the face of goal, but Rimando was there to snuff out the opportunity.
NOTES:
- Former RSL luminaries Jason Kreis, C.J. Brown, Miles Joseph, Will Johnson, Josh Saunders, Luis Gil and Donny Toia, earned the first ever victory in the series between the two sides. RSL is now 0-1-2 all-time against Orlando.
- The Claret-and-Cobalt are now 4-3-0 under Mike Petke at home this season.
- After receiving a booking in the 65th minute, Sunny will be suspended for RSL’s next game against LA.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Orlando City SC
Date: June 30, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 19,218
Weather: 84 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Orlando City SC 1 0 1
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Chris Wingert (Yura Movsisyan 69’), Justen Glad, David Horst, Danilo Acosta; Sunny (Sebastian Saucedo 83’), Kyle Beckerman; Brooks Lennon, Jefferson Savarino, Joao Plata; Luis Silva (Albert Rusnák 77’).
Subs not used: Matt VanOekel, Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund, Luke Mulholland
Orlando City SC: (4-4-2): Joe Bendik; Scott Sutter, Jose Aja, Jonathan Spector, Donny Toia; Will Johnson, Antonio Nocerino (Servando Carrasco 46’), Cristian Higuita (Richie Laryea 88’), Kaká (Luis Gil 71’); Giles Barnes, Cyle Larin.
Subs not used: Hadji Barry, Rafael Ramos, Tommy Redding, Josh Saunders
Stats Summary: RSL / ORL
Shots: 11 / 7
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Fouls: 15 / 14
Offside: 6 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL -- Sunny (Caution) - 65’
ORL -- Kaká (Caution) - 68’
ORL -- Jose Aja (Caution) - 71’
ORL -- Cristian Higuita (Caution) - 87’
RSL -- Kyle Beckerman (Caution) - 88’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Jonathan Johnson
4th Official: Nima Saghafi
