Real Salt Lake Climbs In West Standings With Win Over St. Louis City SC
Jun 21, 2023, 8:37 PM | Updated: 8:48 pm
RSL vs. Minnesota United FC on May 27, 2023. (Courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake walked into St. Louis and gave the City their first loss in City Park this season.
With the win, RSL sits just three points behind the second seed in the Western Conference. Less than a week ago, RSL was the 11th seed.
We like this place pic.twitter.com/V3rBZf2ceA
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 22, 2023
Real Salt Lake Gives St. Louis City SC First Home Loss
First Half
Pablo Ruiz, coming off of a Goal of the Year candidate in RSL’s last match, attempted a strike from outside the box in the fifth minute but it was saved.
RELATED: Pablo Ruiz Strikes First With Goal Of Year Candidate Against D.C. United
St. Louis’ defense held strong in the first ten minutes, erasing multiple scoring opportunities for Real Salt Lake.
y’all ready for us pic.twitter.com/OTc9oEw21u
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 21, 2023
In the 11th minute, Diego Luna forced a turnover just outside the box. He immediately turned around and took a shot but it was blocked.
Just minutes later, Luna got redemption by capping off a transition opportunity for RSL. Damir Kreilach let Danny Musovski’s cross pass by him which perfectly set up the goal for Luna.
RELATED: Diego Luna Scores First Goal Of Season Against St. Louis City SC
Diego Luna finishes the fine #RSL attack with a curler. 🌙 pic.twitter.com/uEpdqGU6zd
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 22, 2023
In City Park this season, St. Louis is 9-0, has scored 3 or more goals in each game, and has only trailed for 52 total minutes.
In the 21st minute, forward Nicholas Gioacchini continued his streak of games with a goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Gioacchini has been a key factor for a high-scoring St. Louis attack. He has seven goals on the season and has scored in four of the last five.
Niko Gioacchini 🆙 with the header to level it for the hosts. #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/3H0zVyX4b4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 22, 2023
St. Louis had two shots that narrowly missed the mark over the next few minutes.
Two City players were shown yellow cards in the 29th and 30th minutes.
Following the goals and close calls, both defenses picked up the effort. Neither team got any promising scoring opportunities as the half closed.
Real Salt Lake and St. Louis were tied at the half, 1-1.
The Gateway to the win pic.twitter.com/AdpR2Wd3Iq
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 22, 2023
Second Half
Just minutes after half, Damir Kreilach scored his third goal of the season to take the lead back for RSL.
The score was set up by Diego Luna and Maikel Chang. Luna maneuvered through defenders and found Chang who quickly tapped it to Kreilach.
.@stlCITYsc meet the King. pic.twitter.com/4lyo1AQLs2
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 22, 2023
In the 53rd minute, Pablo Ruiz sent a shot to the lower corner from the top of the box but St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki made a diving save.
Damir Kreilach scored again in the 66th minute to secure a brace and a two-score lead for RSL.
Kreilach’s last brace in MLS play came against the Vancouver Whitecaps in July 2021.
RELATED: Damir Kreilach Puts Together Second-Half Brace Against St. Louis City SC
Damir Kreilach with his second of the night to extend the visitors lead with the left foot. #RSL pic.twitter.com/WT3nIvHowK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 22, 2023
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Gavin Beavers was shown a yellow card for time-wasting in the 71st minute.
Diego Luna nearly scored a second goal of his own in the 74h minute but it was saved.
Both teams made group substitutions as the final ten minutes rolled around.
check it out pic.twitter.com/9EXuwSxBbk
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 21, 2023
In the 86th minute, both RSL and St. Louis got off a shot on goal but the goalkeepers were able to make a save.
Five minutes of stoppage time was added, but the City ended up falling short.
Real Salt Lake gave St. Louis its first home loss and climbs up in the West’s standings with the 3-1 win.
we’LL be sure to come back pic.twitter.com/FJSmbpMLl1
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 22, 2023
How To Watch Real Salt Lake
All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2023 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.
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Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
