America First Field, Sandy, UT – Real Salt Lake was finally able to notch a win with a dominating performance against the New England Revolution. Having a winless streak lasting 13 matches it was a much needed return to the aggressive style that seems to always be the missing piece for the Claret and Cobalt to get points. It was an early start for the home club with Aiden Hezarkani with a shot passed Matt Turner in the just the 2nd minute of play to set the tone for the match. There were several great chances but it was Sergi Solans that put the match out of reach for the Revolution with goals in the 62nd and 80th minutes to give RSL a much needed win. Rafael Cabral came up with a handful of great saves to keep the clean sheet and hopefully gave the home club the confidence they badly need as they enter the home stretch of the MLS season. It was a daunting tasks tonight with New England sitting 3rd in the Supporter Shield race and having won 5 of their last 6 fixtures.
The tone of the match was set in just the 2nd minute when Aiden Hezarkani made his way past the last defender and put his club on top. There were a number of great chances with Hezarkani with a couple shots that seemed to drift directly in the hands of Matt Turner. It was really the aggressive play for RSL that seemed to be the difference maker in the half with New England not being able to move the ball down the field as much as they would like. The defense also came up big over and over again as they did give up 11 corner kicks to just one for their side but were able to defend the goal over and over again.
When play resumed it was the Revolution that seemed to have the momentum as Real settled into the match but Sergi Solans could not be contained as he doubled the lead in the 62nd minute. After the goal the visitors got their second wind and added some fresh legs to the match. It was Rafael Cabral that kept the score line with a some great saves and to help the home club get reinvigorated until the 80th minute with Solans completed his brace to put RSL on top for good.
With the win tonight RSL breaks a 13 match winless streak. RSL hasn’t won a match since May 16th and as they enter the home stretch of the season things wont get any easier for the Claret and Cobalt and puts them within 3 points of the final playoff position, The biggest hurdle for Real Salt Lake is still the many injuries that have hobbled the club as of late adding to the lose of a number of key players to international duties. A much needed break for RSL will see them next playing on October 10th when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union at Subaru Park.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 2 3
New England Revolution 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
RSL – Aiden Hezarkani – 2′
RSL – Sergi Solans – 62′
RSL – Sergi Solans – 80′
Misconduct Summary
NE – Carlos Gil – X’ – foul
RSL– Morgan Guilavogui – 46′ – foul
NE – Josh Wynder – 61′ – foul
RSL – Rafael Cabral – 75′ – time wasting
Officials
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
Assistant Referee: Nick Balcer
Assistant Referee: Eduardo Jeff
4th Official: Jaclyn Metz
Video Assistant Referee: Ismir Pekmic
AVAR: John Krill
Attendence: XXX
Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Rafael Cabral; Kobi Henry; Sam Junqua; Philip Quinton; Deandre Yedlin; Dominik Marczuk; Aiden Hezarkani (Colin Guske, 75′); Stijn Speirings; Noel Caliskan; Morgan Guilavogui (Jason Shokolook, 89′); Sergi Solans (Linekar Santos, 86′)
Substitutes Not Used: Mason Stadjuhar; Liam O’Gara; Taylor Booth; Emeka Eneli; Max Kerkvliet; Linkon Ream
Head. Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
New England Revolution: Matt Turner; Mamadou Fofana; Matthew Polster (Marcus Zambrano, 86′); Will Sands; Josh Wynder (Javaun Muissenden, 68′); Carles Gil (Diego Fagundez, 86′); Jackson Yueill; Ethan Kohler; Daniel Gazdag; Wilson Harris (Griffin Yow, 57′); Luca Langoni (Cody Baker, 58′)
Substitutes Not Used: Tanner Beason; Tylon Smith; Donovan Parisian; Makai Wells
Head Coach: Marco Mitrovic
Tags: Major League Soccer, MLS, New England, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Revolution, RSL, Soccer