America First Field, Sandy, UT – Real Salt Lake closed out the current home stand with a win and 3 points tonight against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes. In a match that had its share of action on both sides of the pitch it was San Jose that struck first with a shot from in front of the box by Josef Martinez in the 51rd minute with an assist from Chicho. RSL responded a few minutes later with a shot deep in the box from Zavier Gozo that careened off of Jamar Ricketts to level the score. The Claret and Cobalt wasn’t done and played with hunger all night and it all culminated in the 81st minute with rocket from outside from Braian Ojeda that was too much for Daniel to handle as it bounced off him and into the net to give RSL the lead and ultimately the full 3 points.
Real Salt Lake hit the pitch with a real hunger in their eyes after dropping their last home match to Cincinnati and they were not going to be denied. The play was aggressive and there were chances early in the match with a shot that hit the crossbar and ricocheted strait down but then took a bounce that took it out of the box. There were plenty of set pieces as 6 yellow cards were shown in the half in addition to a few corner kicks, but neither club could find the back of the net before they headed to the locker room.
After the break things picked up right were they left off with both clubs playing like they had a chip on their shoulder but it was the home team that had the edge when Zavier Gozo led his club into the box and in the ensuing melee the ball careened off of Jamar Ricketts for an own goal and a leveling in the match. It felt like the go ahead goal was just out of touch but somehow inevitable and the home crowd went wild in the 81st minute with a zinger from outside the box from Braian Ojeda put RSL up for good. With tonight’s win Real Salt Lake moves into 8th place in the West as they continue their drive for the playoffs with as they enter the Leagues Cup break before they pick it up again on the road. If this intensity keeps up they are positioned well to take advantage of their current run of form.
Diego Luna shows how tough he really is after he had a good showing at the MLS All-Star match this last week and is in the starting linueup tonight. This is the first time that Chicho has been back to America First Field since he left RSL. Real Salt Lake opens up their 2025 Leagues Cup Wednesday, July 30 when Club America visits the RioT followed by a visit from Atletico de San Luis on Saturday, August 2nd followed Queretaro the following Wednesday, August 6th before returning to MLS play on Saturday, August 10 when they travel to Sport Illustrated Stadium to take on the New York Red Bulls. The Claret and Cobalt wrap up their latest MLS home stand tonight before they visit New York and Charlotte in August not playing at home until August 23rd.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 2 2
San Jose Earthquakes 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
SJ – Josef Martinez – 51′
RSL – Zavier Gozo –57′ OG Jamar Ricketts
RSL – Braian Ojeda – 81′
Misconduct Summary
RSL – Noel Caliskan – 9′ – foul
RSL – Zavier Gozo – 24′ – foul
SJ – Ian Harkes – 33′ – foul
SJ – Bruno Wilson – 42′ – foul
RSL – Diego Luna – 42′ – foul
SJ – Reid Roberts – 45’+4′ – foul
SJ – Max Floriana – 54′ – foul
SJ – Reid Roberts – 83′ – foul Red Card
RSL – Dominik Marczuk – 83′ – foul
RSL – Rafael Cabral – 90′ – time wasting
Officials
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Assistant Referee: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt
Assistant Referee: Eric Weisbrod
4th Official: JC Griggs
Video Assistant Referee: Ekatarina (Katya) Koreleva
AVAR: Claudiu Badea
Attendence: 19,238
Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Rafael Cabral; Sam Junqua; Phlip Quinton; Justen Glad; Noel Caliskan; Diego Luna (Bode Hidalgo, 89′); Pablo Ruiz; Emeka Eneli (Braian Ojeda, 69′); Diogo Goncalves; Zavier Gozo (Dominik Marczuk, 79′); William Agada (Ariath Piol, 79′)
Substitutes Not Used: Johnny Russell; Max Kirkvliet; Jesus Barea; Kobi Henry
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
San Jose Earthquakes: Daniel DeSous; Bruno Wilson; Max Floriani (Rodrigues, 58′); Reid Roberts; Dejaun Jones; Beau Leroux (Niko Tsakris; Ian Harkes (Mark Anthony Kaye, 68′); Jamar Ricketts (Dave Romney, 68′); Cristian Espinoza (Ousseni Bouda, 79′); Josef Martinz; Chicho
Substitutes Not Used: Nick Lima; Preston Judd; Earl Edwards Jr; Paul Marie; Niko Tsakiris
Head Coach: Bruce Arena
Tags: Diego Luna, Major League Soccer, MLS, Quakes, Real Salt Lake, RSL, San Jose, San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose Quakes, Soccer, US