Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT – In a gritty performance RSL was able to get the full 3 points tonight against the Columbus Crew SC. It was Sam Johnson who put the Claret and Cobalt on top and Columbus was never able to respond.
The first thirty minutes of the match was rough for the home team. Columbus was able to control much of the flow up to that point and was able to get behind the defense several times. In the 13th minute J.J. Williams went straight at Nick Rimando and there was a collision that was reviewed by the VAR who took their time before waving off any penalty. It was a little later in the 38th minute when Sam Johnson was able to outrun two defenders and approached the goal with only Bendik to beat and he easily put RSL on top.
The second half picked up right where the the first ended with both teams fighting hard to try and get in the net. In all there where six yellow cards handed out with RSL getting four of them and plenty of chippy play to go around. At the final whistle RSL was able to hold off Columbus for the full three points and chalked up another clean sheet for the second time in four day.
Albert Rusnak had several chances to find the goal but he was foiled by Bendik and the crossbar however his consistent play and on the ball attack earned him man of the match. Both Nedum and Sam Johnson left the pitch with injuries and no word yet on if either will be available on Saturday against San Jose.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Columbus Crew SC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Sam Johnson – 38′
Misconduct Summary:
RSL – Aaron Herrera – 31′ – unsporting behavior
CLB – Eduardo Sosa – 32′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Corey Baird – 55′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Nick Besler – 62′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Sebastian Saucedo – 80′ – unsporting behavior
CLB – Alex Crognale – 85′ – unsporting behavior
Officials
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referee: Jason White
Assistant Referee: Cory Richardson
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kelly
Attendence: 19,030
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Aaron Herrera; Justen Glad; Nedum Onuoha (Marcelo Silva, 73′); Brooks Lennon; Everton Luiz; Albert Rusnak; Sebastian Saucedo (Tate Schmitt, 90′); Damir Kreilach; Corey Baird; Sam Johnson (Nick Besler, HT)
Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Putna; Donny Toia; Luke Mulholland; Joao Plata
Columbus Crew SC: Joe Bendik; Harrison Afful; Alex Crognale; Aboubacar Keita; Hector Jimenez (Waylon Francis, 73′); David Guzman (Artur, 78′); Ricardo Clark; Nico Hansen (Luis Argudo, 66′); Eduardo Sosa; Pedro Santos; J.J. Williams
Substitutes Not Used: Joe Kempin; Gaston Sauro; Robinho; Patrick Mullins
Next up for RSL
Real Salt Lake visits the San Jose Earthquake later this week on Saturday July 6th.