February 25, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release
VANCOUVER, Canada – Real Salt Lake (1-0-0, 3 points) earned a come-from-behind road victory to open the 2023 Major League Soccer season. Second-half goals from perennial Homegrown Justen Glad and RSL Captain Damir Kreilach, along with six saves from Zac MacMath, helped RSL secure the 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
From the first whistle Real Salt Lake struggled to gain consistent momentum as the Whitecaps pestered the RSL goal with an onslaught of opportunities. Despite withstanding the initial waves of Vancouver’s offense thanks to some impressive saves from goalkeeper Zac MacMath, the Whitecaps were able to break through in the 24th minute when Javain Brown took the 1-0 lead off a corner kick. In the final moments of the first half it looked as if RSL was beginning to get its footing, putting several chances in the path of goal, but the team was unable to convert.
After having difficulty in the final third in the first half, Real Salt Lake came out swinging in the second 45 minutes with a flurry of chances, indicating a possible change of tides for the Claret-and-Cobalt. In the 58th minute, four different RSL players created opportunities, but Vancouver’s goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka was able to snuff out the danger. Despite having a long spell of possession, the Whitecaps nearly doubled their lead when Brian White found himself unmarked running towards goal, but a sliding save from MacMath prevented what appeared to be a sure goal.
In the 70th minute Real Salt Lake’s offensive pressure finally paid dividends when Maikel Chang found the outstretched leg of Justen Glad to level the score. Just three minutes later RSL Captain Damir Kreilach netted the go-ahead goal off a short pass from Jefferson Savarino. The goal marked the miraculous return for Kreilach, who missed nearly all of last season after suffering a back injury on April 17, 2022.
Real Salt Lake withstood Vancouver’s desperate measures to equalize for the remaining 17 minutes to steal the 2-1 road victory, giving the team its 14th-consecutive result to start a season, good for the longest streak in league history.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake will remain on the road, traveling to face Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 4 at 8:30 p.m. MT, before returning to America First Field for the team’s home opener on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. MT against Austin FC.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
VAN: Javain Brown (Julian Gressel)…
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