Real Salt Lake found a pair of second-half goals for a solid 2-0 home win over the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The first half had its share of fireworks but didn't build upon the opening scoreline. Highlights included a Sebastian Lletget volley on a 15th-minute corner kick that just missed the mark, a 22nd-minute Cristian Pavon shot that caromed off the crossbar, and, at the other end, a 27th-minute Albert Rusnak shot that just went wide.
RSL continued to put the pressure on the Galaxy to start the second half, adding to its shot advantage, but not able to create separation on the scoreboard. A 61st-minute chance for LA saw Andrew Putna fishing out a Rolf Feltscher header, which Chicharito pounced on — albeit from an offside position.
In the next sequence, RSL drew a penalty, with a hard-charging Justin Meram forcing Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham to come out of the box and challenge. The resulting foul allowed Rusnak to step up and finally break the deadlock. Then, seven minutes later, Rusnak played a ball from the left flank to Damir Kreilach, who got a shot past Bingham to double the lead.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: RSL had been on the short end of two recent lopsided defeats to Minnesota and Colorado in recent weeks, so they're happy to return the favor. It just so happens that it was against the Galaxy — winless since blanking LAFC 3-0 in a Sept. 6 El Trafico. Also, siren emoji for Chicharito: He's only got one goal in this weird season where many thought he'd be more immediately impactful.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The Rusnak assist to Kreilach not only put the home side up 2-0; it seemed to extinguish what flickers of hope there were for the Galaxy to mount a comeback. Certainly, LA had the time and the talent, but something in the surety of that goal made the remaining fifth of the match an afterthought.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Has a sculptor been lined up to come to Sandy yet? Rusnak probably doesn't need to do too much more to earn a statue, but he did Rusnak things once again — a PK conversion at a pivotal moment, plus a key assist to put away a match.
Next Up
- RSL: Sunday, September 27 at Minnesota United FC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)
- LA: Sunday, September 27 vs. Seattle Sounders FC (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada)
