June 2, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (9-2-6 / 33 points / 1st West) dazzled a standing-room crowd of 21,078 home fans at America First Field on Saturday night with a dominant 5-1 victory over Austin FC thanks to a Chicho Arango hat-trick and an Anderson Julio first-half brace. The win cements RSL atop the Western Conference standings and extends the Club’s historic unbeaten streak to 13 matches.
RSL came out firing on all cylinders, owning more than a 65% share of possession through the first 10 minutes of action. The first big chance would come in the 10th minute, as Justen Glad took a set piece in the RSL half, pinging it deep to Alex Katranis, who promptly headed it to Diego Luna on the left wing. Slicing into the box with urgency, Luna beat multiple defenders before his far-post shot attempt was saved for a corner. RSL’s high press created another chance just two minutes later as Andrés Gómez jumped a passing lane to intercept the ball deep in Austin territory. He cut across the face of goal for the shot before a swarm of ATX defenders converged to deflect his left-footed attempt.
Converting momentum into an early lead, RSL would break through to claim a 1-0 advantage with an absolutely world-class goal from MLS MVP front-runner and RSL Captain Chicho Arango in the 16th minute. In a seemingly pedestrian situation with Arango standing over the ball just inside the halfway line, Chicho looked up to see Austin FC’s Brad Stuver off his line. Without hesitation, he wound up and uncorked a 58-yard blast at net, his shot soaring over the outstretched glove of a helpless Stuver, under the crossbar and into the back of the net. The strike vaulted Arango back atop the MLS Golden Boot race for his 14th of the year to go along with eight assists.
Not satisfied with one, RSL pushed to earn its second goal in the 24th minute. Beating two defenders by himself on the left wing with a clever combination of dribble moves, Braian Ojeda drew a third defender before laying it off to Anderson Julio in the box. Taking one touch to get it on his preferred right foot, Julio opted for placement over power with an off-speed shot to the far post that comfortably found the side netting, his second goal in three matches.
Pouring it on in front of the home fans, RSL took a commanding three-goal advantage in the 32nd minute of play. Intercepting an errant pass from the Austin back line, Ojeda sent it…