Sandy, UT – Real Salt Lake advanced to the US Open Cup Semi Finals tonight with a win over the LA Galaxy in Rio Tinto Stadium in front of the largest Quarterfinal crowd in Open Cup history.
Aaron Maund
Aaron Maund scored his first goal outside of the preseason since joining RSL tonight when he was able to keep his header down off of an assist by Luke Mulholland in the 87th minute of play. With the Open Cup win or go home schedule, Maund picked a perfect time for his first professional goal.
In spite of the fact that most of the match was scoreless, it was exciting soccer, as both clubs kept the attack up for the full 90 minutes of soccer. Even with both clubs missing key players, particularly both starting goal keepers, this was
Big night for Jeff Attinella
a fun match to watch. Jeff Attinella came up big on multiple occasions, learning from the loss to Colorado, to keep LA out of the net.
Steven Gerrard
Rio Tinto was also introduced to Steven Gerrard, as he entered match at the half, but the RSL midfield was able to keep him in check throughout the second half of play. The defense play of Real Salt Lake was enough to make his debut at the RioT not quite what he had hoped for.
RSL will play the winner of the Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo quarterfinal at the home of the winner..
International Duty
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando (USA); Kyle Beckerman (USA); Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica); Elias Vasquez (Guatemala); Demar Phillips (Jamaica)
Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Jeff Attinella; Tony Beltran; Aaron Maund; Chris Schuler; Abdoulie Mansally; Jordan Allen (John Stertzer, 91+); Javier Morales (C); Luke Mulholland; Joao Plata; Sebastian Jaime (Olmes Garcia, 82′); Devon Sandoval
Substitutes not used: Eduardo Fernandez; Luis Gil; Justen Glad; Wellinton Paeckart; Sebastian Saucedo
LA Galaxy: Brian Rowe; Todd Dunivant; A.J. DeLaGarza; Leonardo; Dan Gargan; Ignacio Maganto (Steven Gerrard, 45′); Juninho; Kenney Walker (Alan Gordon, 77′); Raul Mendiola (Edson Buddle, 89′); Robbie Keane (C); Sebastian Lletget
Substitutes not used: Andrew Wolverton; Rafael Garcia; Baggio Husidic; Tommy Meyer
Up Next for Real Salt Lake:
Real Salt Lake takes on the Houston Dynamo at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday, July 18th.