RSL Defeats Rival Sporting Kansas City With Sam Johnson’s Brace

SANDY, Utah – In just their second game back from the international break and their first at home, Real Salt Lake relied on forward Sam Johnson to score two goals in their 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.

It was the first match between the two rivals this season with the next game scheduled for August 10 in Kansas City.

Johnson Gets Hot In First Half

The first goal came in the 15th minute when Damir Kreilach played the ball from the right side of the 18-yard box with his right foot to Kyle Beckerman, who was inside the box, who headed the ball to Johnson.

All that Johnson had to do was get a foot on it and that gave RSL the goal and the lead over their Western Conference rivals.

Dami to the Cap, and Sam buries it! pic.twitter.com/lKzUY7HmvQ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 30, 2019

The second goal came just 14 minutes late in the 29th minute when Albert Rusnak and Johnson were on a two-on-one break to against one Kansas City defender.

Rusnak played the ball to Johnson but it went behind the RSL striker when Damir Kreilach tapped the ball back to Johnson, who fired the ball past SKC keeper Tim Melia.

Just like we drew it up! pic.twitter.com/ZqZ9luW7YH

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 30, 2019

It was Johnson’s sixth and seventh goals this season.

Kreilach nearly put RSL up 3-0 in the 85th minute but after the official reviewed the play, it was called back due to the RSL midfielder being offside.

3 points pic.twitter.com/fjz8eMYyAo

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 30, 2019

Up Next

RSL improved to 7-8-2 on the season with 23 points. They are now in eighth place in the Western Conference standings and are one point behind the Houston Dynamo for the seventh spot.

They will return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, July 3 to face the Columbus Crew, who are 5-11-2 on the season with 17 points.

The match will begin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and will be streamed on sports.ksl.com and the KSL TV app.