Damir Kreilach celebrates his first goal on the night
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT – Damir Kreilach was the one to watch on the pitch with an impressive brace that was too much for Chicago to match. Stefan Cleveland was in the goal for his first ever MLS match and he did have a great night with RSL taking 15 shots and 10 of them on frame. Even with a number of impressive stops Kreilach kept himself in dangerous position all night and was able to take advantage late in the first half and again late in the match.
The Claret and Cobalt maintained an edge in possession for the entire affair. When you combine possession with a relentless attack good things were bound to happen. The score stayed flat until the 45’+3′ when Jefferson Savarino placed the ball perfectly in front of Damir Kreilach who headed the ball past Cleveland to put RSL on top 1-0.
Kreilach belts in a brace
Chicago made one substitution at the half, they brought in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Jorge Carolles and it didn’t take Schweinsteiger long to make his presence know with a goal in the 48th minute. Chicago didn’t seem to get any momentum from drawing even with the home team with the shots for RSL continuing to pile up. Jefferson Savarino looked to have the go ahead goal in 57th minute however he was just offsides before the ball bounced off of Cleveland. It felt like things were ready to break open for RSL all night and they finally did when Kreilach booted in his second goal on the night in the 75th minute to put his club on top for good.
With tonight’s brace Kreilach matches Joao Plata for most goals for Real Salt Lake and he earned himself “Man of the Match” honors. Schweinsteiger goal was one for the highlight real however his antics after the match earned him a yellow card.
Real Salt Lake has another chance to continue their home field unbeaten streak when the Montreal Impact visit Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, August 11th at 8:00 pm.
Mike Petke handshake with Veljko Paunovic
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 1 2
Chicago Fire 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
RSL – Damir Kreilach – 45’+3′
CHI – Bastian Schweinsteiger – 48′
RSL – Damir Kreilach – 75′
Joao Plata takes a foul from Drew Connor
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Drew Conner – 55′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Marcelo Silva – 90′ – unsporting behavior
CHI – Bastian Schweinsteiger – 90’+6′ – dissent
Officials
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referee: Jeffrey Greeson
Assistant Referee: Gjovalin Bori
4th Official: Malik Badawi
Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Terry Jr.
Lineups
Real Salt Lake Starting XI
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon; Marcelo Silva; Justen Glad; Aaron Herrera; Joao Plata; Albert Rusnak (Nick Besler, 90’+4′); Kyle Beckerman; Damir Kreilach; Jefferson Savarino (Sebastian Saucedo, 90’+1′); Corey Baird (Sunny, 85′)
Substitutes Not Used: Pablo Ruiz; Shawn Berry; Andrew Putna; Danilo Acosta
Chicago Fire Starting XI
Chicago Fire: Stefan Cleveland; Kevin Ellis; Diego Campos (Nicolas Hasler, 32′); Jonathan Campbell; Brandon Vincent; Drew Conner; Luis Solignac; Raheem Edwards (Aleksandar Katai, 69′); Tony Tchani; Alan Gordon, Jorge Coralles (Bastian Schweinsteiger, HT)
Substitutes Not Used: Brant Bronico; Richard Sanchez; Namanja Nikolic; Mohammed Adams