RSL Falls to San Jose 2-0

August 25, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (12-6-8, 44 Pts, 3rd West) fell to San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 in front of a standing-room-only home crowd of 21,015, marking the seventh consecutive sellout crowd and the ninth in 13 home games for the Claret-and-Cobalt at America First Field this season. Despite the result, three recent summer signings, Diogo Gonçalves, Lachlan Brook and Javain Brown played their first-ever RSL minutes.

Reigniting its quest for a Supporters’ Shield and top MLS Cup Playoff seeding after 19 days without a game, it was a slow start for RSL in the first 45 minutes of play. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni’s starting lineup set the stage for the debut of newly signed attacking midfielder and designated player Gonçalves, but the festivities were quickly spoiled when San Jose scored thanks to a combination of defensive errors in the 20th minute. Then, this time with some set piece choreography, San Jose doubled down with a second goal in the 33rd minute. Finally, adding injury to insult, RSL Captain and star frontman Chicho Arango was forced to leave the game prior to the intermission with a right hamstring tweak, the early exodus leaving Arango tied at 17 goals with Álvaro Saborío for the all-time MLS single-season franchise goals record.

Coming out for the second 45, a rejuvenated RSL side came alive in search of an opening goal, the fire further stoked when new signee, Australian U-23 attacker Brook was substituted on shortly into the second half to make his RSL and MLS debut. Despite a barrage of scoring chances, the 2-0 scoreline would remain locked until the final whistle, handing RSL just its sixth loss from 26 matches.

RSL will look to bounce back in its next match, a home encounter with New England Revolution at America First Field next Saturday, August 31, with tickets available at rsl.com/tickets/

GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:

SJ – 20′ – Cristian Espinoza (Jackson Yueill): As RSL struggled to settle into the game, it would be San Jose that struck first with an unlikely 20′ strike. As Salt Lake began their buildup from the back, an errant pass was intercepted at the edge of the attacking third by Jackson Yueill. Looking to quickly catch RSL out of their shape, Yueill shuffled it to Cristian Espinoza on the right wing with pace. In a seemingly unthreatening position, Espinoza wound up and uncorked a shot on frame, the attempt sailing between the legs of his marker before…