Real Salt Lake Shut Out Minnesota In 3-0 Victory

September 1, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (11-8-9, 42 points) defeated Minnesota United FC 3-0 in what was a crucial Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs race matchup. Forwards Sergio Cordova, Jefferson Savarino and Anderson Julio each scored a goal on one side of the ball, and the defense recorded its ninth clean sheet of the year on the other.

Postgame Quotes from RSL vs. MIN

Postgame Video from RSL vs. MIN

In a crucial matchup between two sides jockeying for playoff positions, Real Salt Lake started off Wednesday night on a high, earning a corner kick inside the first minute of play. The team’s leading goal scorer Cordova added to his tally in the seventh minute when he chested down a poorly cleared cross, slalomed his way through two defenders and buried his shot to give the Claret-and-Cobalt the early 1-0 lead. The goal ignited an onslaught of teddy bears, raining from the sky, as fans tossed the stuffed animals onto the pitch to be collected and donated to local organizations that benefit kids battling cancer.

RSL doubled its lead in the 23rd minute when Aaron Herrera sent a low cross, with pinpoint accuracy to the feet of a sliding Savarino who redirected it past Dayne St. Clair and into the back of the net. The Claret-and-Cobalt were able to finish out the first half without allowing Minnesota to attempt a single shot, taking the 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

Coming out of the halftime break Minnesota made a rare goalkeeper change, slotting in Tyler Miller for St. Clair. The goalkeeper was quickly tasked with slowing down RSL, saving Justin Meram’s shot just moments into the second half. As the half progressed RSL continued to press Minnesota’s backline but struggled to find the back of the net until the 79th minute when Andrew Brody laced a long outlet pass through several defender to the feet of Julio who outpaced the men around him, dribbling around the ‘keeper, to put away the third goal of the night, solidifying the 3-0 victory for Real Salt Lake.

UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake finishes its three-game week with a road match against LAFC on Sunday, September 4 at 8:30 p.m. MT.

GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:

RSL: Sergio Cordova 7th minute: Savarino’s cross was intercepted by a Minnesota defender, but in his quest to clear it out of danger the ball fell to Cordova. The forward chested the ball down to his feet, slalomed between two defenders to hit a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

RSL:…