April 27, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Real Salt Lake advanced to the Fourth Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with 3-1 (a.e.t) win at Las Vegas. RSL emerged after the 120 minutes powered by a brace of extra-time goals from Captain Damir Kreilach and a stoppage time insurance goal from Las Vegas native Danny Musovski.
Having never won a road match in its 10-game road U.S. Open Cup history, Real Salt Lake looked to change its fortune at Las Vegas, deploying a 3-5-2 lineup against the USL Championship side. The Claret-and-Cobalt began the match as the clear aggressor, with multiple opportunities inside the first 15 minutes, including what appeared to be a go-ahead goal from Kreilach that was called back due to him being in an offside position.
As the first half continued, the Lights began to find their footing, forcing 17-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper and Las Vegas native Gavin Beavers to make several saves. Nearing the end of the first half, the Lights mounted a last-ditch attack, but Beavers was able to push Andrew Carleton’s shot off the top crossbar with the shot rebounding to the feet of rookie Emeka Eneli – whose clearance kept the score level at 0-0 heading into the halftime break.
The start of the second half saw the two sides trading attacking opportunities, but neither team was able to score. In the 68th minute, Krielach and Ilijah Paul had consecutive opportunities on goal. Kreilach’s shot ricocheted off the Vegas goalkeeper to the feet of Paul, but Lights defender Leo Diaz was able to pounce on the loose ball, preventing what seemed to be a certain goal.
Throughout the remainder of regulation time, neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal as the 90 minutes of regulation ended deadlocked at 0-0, sending the match into extra-time.
In the sixth minute of extra-time, Beavers was tasked with making a massive save, coming off his line to prevent a breakaway goal. Real Salt Lake nearly found the back of the net in the 10th minute of extra-time, when a free kick saw Musovski put a ball over the defense, but Kreilach’s volley skipped just above the crossbar. Moments later Kreilach finally netted the go-ahead goal, heading in a cross from rookie Bertin Jacquesson in the 105th minute to take the 1-0 lead.
The lead would be short-lived, however, as Lucas Stauffer bounced a shot off the leg of an RSL player, deflecting past Beavers in the 112th minute to level the score 1-1. But Kreilach…
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