Real Salt Lake Bow out of 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs

October 16, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release

Austin, Texas – Real Salt Lake fell to Austin FC in penalty kicks in Round 1 of the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, ending the Club’s 2022 season. Forward Sergio Cordova scored an early brace, but a second-half red card saw RSL playing with only 10 men for the final 44 minutes of regulation and the 30 minute extra time. The depleted side was unable to overcome the second-seeded Austin FC.

In the First Round of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Real Salt Lake broke out to an early lead in the third minute when Andrew Brody sent a curving cross to the head of Sergio Cordova. The Venezuelan forward rose up over his defender, flicking the ball backwards across the face of goal past goalkeeper Brad Stuver and into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead. Austin FC looked to quickly respond when Alex Ring took a shot on target, but goalkeeper Zac MacMath made easy work of wrapping it up.

Real Salt Lake doubled its lead in the 15th minute when Maikel Chang crossed a ball in towards goal, bouncing off the arm of Austin defender Jhojan Valencia. Upon video assisted review the Claret-and-Cobalt were awarded a penalty kick and Cordova stepped up and slammed home his shot from the penalty spot. Cordova nearly secured himself a hat trick in the 28th minute, but his attempt skipped to the right of the goal post.

The home team was able to cut the deficit in half in the 31st minute when Diego Fagundez crossed a ball in towards the head of Sebastian Driussi, who sent it past MacMath and into the upper right corner of goal. Austin continued to throw numbers forward, looking for the equalizer, but the Verde and Black were unable to thread the needle on Real Salt Lake’s stout defense, giving RSL the 2-1 advantage heading into the halftime break.

Coming out of the halftime break Austin nearly equalized when a ball skipped through the penalty box unmarked, but Daniel Pereira’s close-range shot soared over top the crossbar. Moments later Jefferson Savarino stormed down field looking for a goal of his own, but his rocketed shot was saved by an outstretched Stuver. In the 53rd minute Rubio Rubin was shown his second yellow of the game for making Austin’s goalkeeper, leaving Real Salt Lake to play the remainder of the match with just 10 men. With numbers on their side, Austin continually pestered Real Salt Lake’s backline, putting the entirety of the Claret-and-Cobalt on their back heels. During the six…