Wild Second Half With Two Goals, Red Cards Hand RSL Loss

SANDY, Utah – After an incredible run of three straight wins and four straight without a loss, Real Salt Lake fell to the best team in Major League Soccer, LAFC 2-0.

The first half was filled with incredible saves from both teams.

But, the second half was very physical, resulting in two red cards and two goals.

Intense First 30 Minutes

LAFC forward Adama Diomande fired a point blank shot at Rimando saved it by bending to his left side. He then had another chance to score from a short distance and the best goalkeeper in MLS history saved the ball on his right side.

🧱🐐🧱🐐🧱🐐 pic.twitter.com/X3S4bZnoNv

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 18, 2019

Shortly after the two attempts, Diomande had another chance and was just as good of an opportunity to score as the previous two chances when the ball hit the right post.

😱 𝘄𝗛𝗔𝘁?!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/PZElcQqBs0

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 18, 2019

LAFC has scored 67 goals on the season and has conceded 25 goals for a plus-40 goal differential, which is unbelievable in Major League Soccer.

In the 27th minute, LAFC had yet another chance and was stopped by Aaron Herrera on the line. The official called a penalty kick and a red card for Herrera. But after VAR, the official ruled that it was not a penalty and the red card was rescinded.

Technology is awesome pic.twitter.com/G2ycXdGyAX

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 18, 2019

Red Cards, Goals In Second Half

In the 48th minute, LAFC’s Walker Zimmerman picked up his second yellow card which led to a red, sending him to the locker room and LAFC down to 10 men.

Just 14 minutes later, MLS MVP favorite Carlos Vela had a clear chance on goal when Aaron Herrera pulled him down into the box. The official called a penalty kick and gave a straight red card to Herrera, putting both teams at 10 players.

Vela scored the penalty kick and picked up his 24th goal of the season.

Carlos Vela. Cannot and will not be stopped from scoring.
1-0 LAFC.
Herrera sees red and both teams are playing with 10 men. #RSLonKSL #RSLvLAFC #RSLhttps://t.co/9sARkd4694 pic.twitter.com/Dj3Arm3jq0

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) August 18, 2019

Diomande finally found the back of the net as he was wide open on the left side and shot the ball far post past Rimando in the 82nd minute.

Up Next

Real Salt Lake dropped to fourth in the Western Conference standings with 40 points. They will host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, August 24 at 8 p.m.

The match will be streamed on sports.ksl.com or the KSL TV app.