February 25, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release
ST. LOUIS, Missouri – Riding an historic 100th professional goal from FW Chicho Arango – assisted in his debut by newcomer Matt Crooks – twenty minutes from time, Real Salt Lake (0-1-1, 1 point) captured its first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at CITY Park in St. Louis.
RSL now returns home after a week on the road for “MLS is BACK” contests at Miami (0-2 loss) and St. Louis (1-1 draw), celebrating the 2024 season – its 20th in Utah – with a 12 Noon MT kickoff Saturday in the home opener at America First Field in Sandy against long-time Western Conference rival Los Angeles Football Club. Tickets are available at www.RSL.com/tickets.
Just two minutes into RSL’s second-ever foray at CITY Park in St. Louis, Claret-and-Cobalt Captain Chicho Arango nearly celebrated his 100th professional goal when he found himself in alone on 2023 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Roman Bürki, but the chance was denied.
Arango’s centenary celebration finally came in the 74th minute, turning into the box away from the defense after the Crooks entry pass to slot home a low right-footer. The Arango goal was his 20th on the road in 33 games away in his MLS career, tying Taylor Twellman for fourth-fastest in league annals.
In the 63rd minute, newly-acquired RSL playmaker Matt Crooks – who only rejoined the team late Thursday following his work-visa procurement and this month’s transfer from Middlesbrough of the EFL Championship – entered the game and immediately made a difference. Crooks – now the 206th player in RSL history to log MLS minutes – is the 124th to register an MLS assist for RSL.
The RSL lead was short-lived, however, as a sloppy turnover in midfield led to a CITY chance against the run of play, and the only chance St. Louis would need to ruin RSL’s road hopes. CITY defender Eduard Löwen jumped on a loose ball and hit a strong looper over the top to an onrushing Adeniran, who nodded a ball off the bounce past RSL DF Bryan Vera to find space, cutting back into his left before unleashing a sharp ball far post for the equalizer.
Despite a flurry of chances late for RSL – including substitute FW Anderson Julio seeing a late-game winner cleared off the line – it could not crack the home defense, RSL forced to settle for a point away.
STL 1 : 1 RSL
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
RSL: Chicho Arango, 74th minute (Matt Crooks): Starting a series of one-touch passes, RSL DF Bode Hidalgowins the ball on the right…
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