Real Salt Lake Gets Back In Win Column Against Arango, Earthquakes
Jul 26, 2025, 10:08 PM | Updated: Jul 29, 2025, 10:48 am
Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (8) dribbles against San Jose Earthquakes defender Bruno Wilson (4) during the first half of a game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake got redemption against Chicho Arango and the San Jose Earthquakes with a 2-1 victory at America First Field on Saturday.
The Earthquakes spoiled the MLS season-opener for RSL back in February. With the win today, they jumped them in the Western Conference standings.
After a scoreless first half, San Jose scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half. One in each net. In the 81st minute, Braian Ojeda stole the show with a right-footed banger to take a late lead. Real held on and secured three points at home.
Real Salt Lake’s next match is against América in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday, July 30.
our guys got the job done 😤#RSLvSJ | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/CmD11tBj2E
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 27, 2025
First Half
Looking to bounce back from the loss last weekend and keep the mid-summer momentum rolling, Real Salt Lake came out of the gates firing.
In the second minute, Zavier Gozo took off on a breakaway. Off a through ball from Pablo Ruiz, Gozo had nothing but grass and the goalkeeper in front of him. His shot hit the crossbar and came straight down, but failed to cross the line. San Jose was able to boot the ball out of the area and keep the score tied at 0-0.
Unfortunately, the first-half action subsided after that. But Real remained in firm control.
Arango, who received a rain of boos every time he touched the ball, rose up for a 16th-minute header, but Rafael Cabral made the routine save. That ended up being San Jose’s last shot of the half.
Diego Luna and Phillip Quinton each had solid scoring chances later in the half, but both of their attempts were just off target.
RSL went into the break with more shot attempts, more corner kicks, fewer fouls, and a 68 percent possession advantage. Regardless, the score remained even.
work to do after the break#RSLvSJ | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/ccbXiBopPu
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 27, 2025
Second Half
The start of the second half saw quick lows and highs for RSL.
In the 51st minute, Arango attacked from the right side of the box and found Josef Martínez in the center for a header to open the scoring. About five minutes later, a San Jose own goal evened the score at 1-1. It was the third time Real Salt Lake has benefited from an own goal this season.
The next 25 minutes saw group substitutions, stifled attacks, and penalties, but little in the way of threatening scoring chances.
Once the final stretch of regulation came around, Real Salt Lake took the upper hand. In the 81st minute, Ruiz set up Braian Ojeda on the right side of the pitch. Ojeda made a move toward the box and then unleashed a heater toward the right side of the net.
His shot met the goalkeeper on the line, but he was unable to control it and it ricocheted into the back of the net.
RELATED: Braian Ojeda Gives Real Salt Lake Late Lead Over San Jose Earthquakes
keeper couldn’t handle the heat 👀 pic.twitter.com/DnAFbrcvU6
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 27, 2025
Two minutes after the lead-taking goal, San Jose’s Reid Roberts was shown his second yellow card and was sidelined, giving RSL an advantage to close the game.
Real Salt Lake took the leg-up and ran with it; they shut off the faucet on San Jose through regulation and eight minutes of stoppage time to secure the 2-1 home victory.
They ended the match with a near 60 percent possession advantage and more shot attempts.
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 2024 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.
For more Real Salt Lake coverage and analysis, subscribe to The RSL Show and follow them on Instagram.
You can find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.
