RSL Posts Dominant Performance Against Philadelphia
Jul 13, 2019, 11:08 PM | Updated: 11:24 pm
Real Salt Lake celebrates after midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) scores the third goal of the night during the second half of a game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, July 13, 2019. (Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
(Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake had a fantastic performance against the leaders of the Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia with a 4-0 win.
Jefferson Savarino scored in two goals, the first one in the opening half and the second one in the second half.
Albert Rusnak posted the third goal in the 81st minute and Damir Kreilach put the nail in the coffin in the 89th minute while RSL finished the shutout.
“This is the most complete game that I can recall since I have been here,” RSL head coach Mike Petke said after the match.
Damir Kreilach pours on a fourth goal for RSL! #RSLvPHI pic.twitter.com/FSoDLHbMhh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 14, 2019
RSL Attack Minded First Half
In the 19th minute, Real Salt Lake had a point-blank chance to score as Brooks Lennon lobbed the ball into the box and Damir Kreilach hit a one-time shot at goal when Andre Blake made a magnificent save for the Union.
Savarino’s goal came in the 23rd minute as Aaron Herrera made a long pass from midfield to the RSL striker, who put one touch on the ball and fired the shot in the back of the net with his left foot.
RSL spent most of the first half in their attacking end of the pitch, making Philadelphia defend. When the Union had possession, they did a good job of holding onto the ball.
Second Half Domination For RSL
Shortly after the second half started, RSL had another great opportunity to stretch their lead when Bofo Saucedo sent a corner kick into the box, defender Justen Glad had great position for a header but Blake made another fantastic save in the 53rd minute.
In the 58th minute, Rusnak played the ball in from the corner to Glad, who headed the ball off of the crossbar.
Savarino’s second goal came in the 71st minute when Kyle Beckerman set him up with a beautiful strike just outside the 18-yard box that went far post past Blake to give RSL the 2-0 lead.
Rusnak’s goal came in the 81st minute as Damir Kreilach attempted to play the ball from the right side into the box but the Union stole the pass.
Jefferson Savarino stole the ball from behind the defender and played it to Albert Rusnak with a beautiful behind pass.
Rusnak fired the ball into the back of the net past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Kreilach’s in the 89th minute as Everton Luiz was on the counter attack when he played the ball through to Kreilach, who easily put the ball past Andre Blake and into the back of the net.
Up Next
Real Salt Lake has moved up to sixth place in the Western Conference standings and has 29 points on the year.
They will return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 20 to face Minnesota United FC at 8 p.m. The match will be streamed live on sports.ksl.com or the KSL TV app.
