October 2, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (11-11-11, 44 points) earned a road point in its last away match of the season, but the 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy keeps them just shy of a spot in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. With one game remaining in the 2022 regular season, Real Salt Lake will need to defeat Portland Timbers at America First Field on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in order to keep its hopes alive of clinching a position in the postseason.
Postgame Quotes from RSL vs. LA
In a must-win game with massive playoff implications, Real Salt Lake made quick work to pin LA Galaxy back deep in front of their own goal, earning three-consecutive corner kicks in the first four minutes. Despite controlling the opening minutes, it was Galaxy who earned the first real opportunity of the match, but a kick-save from goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the eighth minute prevented Julian Araujo from tucking the ball into the far post. Galaxy were awarded its second opportunity in the 15th minute when Riqui Puig was fouled by midfielder Scott Caldwell inside the 18-yard-box, setting up a penalty kick. Puig’s penalty shot attempt was kept out thanks to a diving save from MacMath, keeping the game scoreless.
The penalty kick save saw the momentum switch back to Real Salt Lake, pressing towards goal. In the 25th minute defender Aaron Herrera sent in a cross to the head of Sergio Cordova who easily flicked the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond to take the 1-0 lead. As the first half wore on, the two sides traded opportunities back and forth, but six first-half saves from MacMath preserved the scoreline, giving RSL the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
In the 68th minute LA Galaxy leveled the score after being awarded a second penalty kick. The referee Kevin Stott originally called it a foul on Galaxy’s Javier Hernandez, but upon Video Assisted Review the call was reversed for a foul on Marcelo Silva. Forward Douglas Costa’s penalty goal knotted the match at 1-1. Galaxy nearly had the go-ahead goal shortly thereafter, but Puig’s deep shot ricocheted off the crossbar and was quickly parlayed out of a dangerous position.
Real Salt Lake pushed desperately to find the game-winning goal, second-half substitute Justin Meram nearly found it in stoppage time, but a stretch save from Bond kept it out of the goal. In the final minutes of the match defender Justen Glad had back-to-back headed chances, but was unable to…
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