Sergio Córdova’s Header Gives RSL Lead Over LA Galaxy
Oct 1, 2022, 9:19 PM
Photo courtesy: Laura Dearden, Real Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY – A header by Sergio Córdova gave Real Salt Lake a first half lead in a critical road contest against the LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy hosted RSL at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday, October 1.
At the end of the 25th minute of action, Real Salt Lake pushed the attack before Andrew Brody sent the ball into the box for a cutting Córdova. The forward connected his head on the ball and sent it flying into the back of the net.
Córdova’s goal gave Real Salt Lake a 1-0 lead.
.@scordova22 💥 @realsaltlake takes a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. 🔴 🔵#RSLonKSL #RSL #LAvRSL pic.twitter.com/TAgXGJOOWZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2022
The goal was Córdova’s ninth of the seaosn and came on Brody’s sixth assist of 2022.
Rightio. Oviedo to ojeda, back to oviedo, wonderful turn from Sava, finds Brody out wide, plays in Herrera who floats one onto Cordova’s forehead.
Wonderful team goal. That was pretty.
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) October 2, 2022
Córdova entered the match with eight goals, two assists, 55 shots, and 30 shots on goal in 31 matches this season.
Earlier in the match, RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made a big save on a penalty kick by Riqui Puig.
BIG SAVE by @ZacMacMath. 🛑#RSLonKSL #RSL #LAvRSL pic.twitter.com/cd0fO3XWwE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2022
Real Salt Lake’s match against the Galaxy is broadcast on the KSL Sports app and sports.ksl.com.
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Real Salt Lake v. LA Galaxy
It has been well publicized, but despite only winning 4 out of their previous 18 matches, Real Salt Lake still controls their own destiny. Two wins to end the regular season will result in the club scrapping into the playoffs and occupying the seventh seed in the west.
It all starts this weekend on the road against the Galaxy before concluding at home with a fixture against Portland Timbers on October 9.
Unfortunately, Real Salt Lake is still without captain Damir Kreilach and striker Bobby Wood. Kreilach is recovering from back surgery and has only appeared in five games this season while Wood is recovering from abductor surgery.
Nevertheless, the club continues to be impressed with newly signed players Braian Ojeda and Bryan Oviedo, in particular. They have sparked the RSL dressing room since arriving towards the end of the summer transfer window.
Both players recently returned from international duty with Paraguay and Costa Rica respectively where they started for their countries in friendlies during the break. It is likely that both players start again for RSL on Saturday evening given their recent importance to the roster.
It remains unknown what shape manager Pablo Mastroeni will opt to utilize against the Galaxy. For the majority of the season, RSL has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation but Mastroeni has become accustomed to a 3-5-2 over recent weeks.
Regardless of the formation, Real Salt Lake has got to find a way to score goals against the Galaxy. In their last MLS fixture against Cincinnati, the club notched 18 shots with 8 of them on target and only scored one goal. Conversely, Cincinnati managed just 8 shots and 3 on target but scored twice to pick up an unlikely three points on the road.
Unlike last season, Real Salt Lake has struggled to score goals down the stretch despite creating good opportunities. If RSL is to qualify for the postseason they will need to convert the solid goal-scoring opportunities into goals.
The club still controls its own destiny, despite the chaotic and frustrating second half of the season. A win against the Galaxy would invigorate the club and provide much-needed momentum into the clash at home against Portland.
