RSL Earns Three Points With Second Half Comeback Against Austin FC

SANDY – Maikel Chang, Andrew Brody, and Real Salt Lake earned three points at home thanks to a second half comeback against the visiting squad of Austin FC.

RSL hosted Austin at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, May 14.

Real Salt Lake beat Austin FC, 2-1.

Pablo Mastroeni on how @realsaltlake can gain consistency out of the team’s 2-1 comeback win over @AustinFC.

“That’s the secret sauce,” he told @kslsports. #RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvATX pic.twitter.com/xV2u7Hkb5Y

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 15, 2022

First 45

The visiting club significantly outplayed the home team during the opening 45 minutes of action. Austin FC controlled the ball for nearly 2/3 of the first half and sent out five shots, including one shot on target.

By comparison, Real Salt Lake only recorded three shots on goal. However, two of the shots were on frame. Both clubs earned three corner kicks in the half.

The difference in the first half came from two saves by Austin’s Andrew Tarbell and a goal scored by Alexander Ring in the 24th minute of action.

.@AustinFC strikes first and takes a 1-0 lead over @realsaltlake in the 24th minute.

📺: @kslsports app & https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h#RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvATX pic.twitter.com/wQhOi57F03

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 15, 2022

Strong Second Half

Real Salt Lake came out of the locker room, warmed up for the second half, and went to work after the whistle blew.

After a rough first half, RSL began the second portion of the match on the attack. The aggressive approach resulted in multiple shots during the opening minutes of the half before Justin Meram and Chang went to work. A red card ejection of Austin’s Daniel Pereira Gil in the 47th minute added fuel to the second half flame sparked for RSL.

In the 55th minute of play, Meram fed a beautiful play to Chang, who pulled one back to RSL and leveled the match a 1-1 with his first goal of the 2022 season.

Maikel Chang’s first goal of 2022 levels the match at 1-1 in the 55th minute. 🔴🔵#RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvATX pic.twitter.com/gmvFhcE4cE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 15, 2022

RSL kept the pressure on Austin FC’s defense and capitalized again as the clock inched toward the 90-minute mark.

Brody buried a massive shot into the back of the net to push Real Salt Lake, 2-1, in the 88th minute. It was Brody’s first goal of the season.

A rocket from Andrew Brody puts @realsaltlake up 2-1 in the 88th minute. 🚀#RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvATX pic.twitter.com/gUlR4IZpzV

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 15, 2022

Despite losing the possession battle 55-45 percent, Real Salt Lake finished the game with 14 shots (seven on goal) compared to Austin’s nine shots (three on goal).

.@realsaltlake’s Andrew Brody talks about his big week that began with a contract extension and ended with a game-winning goal against @AustinFC. #RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvATX pic.twitter.com/K5Gd3XBoOQ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 15, 2022

With the win, RSL improved its record to 5-4-3.

Real Salt Lake’s next match is on the road against CF Montréal on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. (MDT). The match will be streamed on the KSL Sports app and sports.ksl.com.

Follow @kyleireland