Providence Park, Portland, OR – Real Salt Lake was impressive in the Rose City tonight, when they routed the Portland Timbers 4-1 in a match that showed that the rivalry is alive and well between these two clubs.
This was the second out of three matches in six days, but you would never have known it from the performance of the entire RSL squad. Plagued earlier in the season by injuries, Real is looking strong as they go into the home stretch. The only routinely starting player that is injured is Yura Movsisyan who injured his hip in practice this week, he will most likely miss this Saturday’s fixture against Sporting Kansas City.
Scoring started early for RSL when Kyle Beckerman couldn’t find anyone making a run and took a shot from far outside the box in the 10th minute. Caleb Porter was forced to use his first substitution when Chance Myers was injured just before the half ended and was replaced by Victor Arboleda. The scoreline held through the remainder of the first half, with RSL on top 1-0 over the timbers.
Portland’s pain continued and got worse when play continued in the second half. Joao Plata extended the RSL lead in the 50th minute, followed closely by a straight red card being shown to Victor Arboleda. Minutes later the match looked like it was getting out of hand for referee Baldomero Toledo when both Fanendo Adi and Kyle Beckerman where shown red cards.
The match was put out of reach for Portland by a 69th minute goal by Albert Rusnak and the final nail with the brace for Joao Plata in the 80th minute.
Jack Barmby, who entered the match in the 72nd minute was able to bring the crowd back to life when he gave Portland their lone goal near the end of second half stoppage time.
After the match Coach Petke noted that he will be challenging the red card issued to Kyle Beckerman and hopes to have him available for the match this Saturday against Sporting Kansas City.
“It’s a joy that we’re finally putting things together.” pic.twitter.com/lmrUCZ4PeY
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) July 20, 2017
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 3 4
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Kyle Beckerman – 10′
RSL – Joao Plata – 50′
RSL – Albert Rusnak – 69′
RSL – Joao Plata – 80′
POR – Jack Barmby – 90’+3′
Misconduct Summary:
POR – Lawrence Olum – 28′ – unsporting behavior
POR – Zarek Valentin – 41′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Albert Rusnak – 42′ – unsporting behavior
POR – Deigo Valeri – 45’+5′ – dissent
RSL – Danilo Acosta – 46′ – unsporting behavior
POR – Victor Arboleda – 53′ – serious foul (RED CARD)
POR – Fanendo Adi – 55′ – violent conduct (RED CARD)
RSL – Kyle Beckerman – 56′ – violent conduct (RED CARD)
RSL – David Horst – 57′ – unsporting behavior
POR – Jack Barmby – 81′ – unsporting behavior
Officials
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistant Referee: Eduardo Mariscal
Assistant Referee: Micheal Kampmeinert
4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran; Demar Phillips (Danilo Acosta 45’+4′); David Horst; Justen Glad; Jefferson Savarino; Kyle Beckerman; Joao Plata; Sunny (Aaron Maund, 83′); Albert Rusnak; Luis Silva (Chris Wingert 75′)
Substitutes Not Used: Sebastian Saucedo; Chris Schuler; Lalo Fernandez; Brooks Lennon
Coach: Mike Petke
Portland Timbers; Jake Gleeson; Roy Miller; Larrys Mabiala; Chance Myers (Victor Arboleda 45’+1′); Zarek Valentin; Lawrence Olum; Dairon Asprilla (Jack Barmby, 72′); Diego Valeri; Sebastian Blanco (Jeremy Ebobiosse, 72′); Ben Zemanski; Fanendo Adi
Substitutes Not Used: Rennico Clarke; Jeff Attinella
Coach: Caleb Porter
Next up for RSL
Real Salt Lake welcomes Sporting Kansas City to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 22nd.