America First Field, Sandy, UT – Tonight saw RSL do just enough to get 3 points at home against a Houston club that has been improving as of late. Neither club was dominant in the first half but it was RSL that found the back of the net in the 42 minute off of a set piece. With Diego Luna back with the squad it seemed to make a difference although he seemed just a little early on quite a few passes tonight. Even with controlling possession through most of the match Houston was unable to finish and ended up on the wrong site of only stat that matters.
With both clubs looking to building on an uptick in form it really didn’t show on the pitch. Even with both clubs taking their share of shots they struggled to get past the defense. It felt a little like Diego Luna was still adjusting to the change in pace or rather lack of pace from what he had become accustomed to with the national team and he had a bit of a struggle placing the ball in the right place. The Claret and Cobalt finally broke their drought off of set pieces in the 42nd minute after Diego Luna took a corner and after the initial try was deflected back and William Agade took a shot that was too much for Bond who got a piece of it but only enough to deflect to the side of the net and RSL was up when they headed to the locker room.
No changes were made at the break and both clubs restarted with their starting squads. There was more energy after the break but it showed more in yellow cards than in goals with RSL racking up 3 yellows in the middle of the half. It really looked like the home side was struggling to keep their shape all night and it showed in some of the stats particularly in possession, something we are not used to at home. The best chance for Real Salt Lake to add to their lead happened in the first minute of stoppage with a placement from Diego Luna right in front of the box and a bicycle kick from Ariath Piol that Jonathan Bond was just able to tap over the top of the bar. In spite of a last minute drive from Houston they were unable to overcome the defense of RSL and went home with no points.
After a couple of first half injuries it was a bit of surprise to have only 4 minutes of stoppage time and then 3 minutes were added to the second half it feels like PRO is getting what felt like excessive stoppage time numbers early in the season. It really felt like the officiating tonight was as even as we have seen lately, lets hope that it continues through the remainder of the season. RSL has now gone 4 matches in a row without a loss for the first time this year and it is coming at the right time as they make a push to get above the line for a birth in the playoffs. Real plays 2 more games in the next week with the opportunity to build on their success as of late.
Houston has dominated matches recently not allowing RSL to win in 2024. RSL is trying to continue their streak of 3 unbeaten matches in a row. Diego Luna returns to the pitch for RSL after an impressive stint with the US Mens National Team. Before the match Real Salt Lake honored Alvaro Sabario for his 63 goals during his time here is Salt Lake. Braian Ojeda earned a yellow card tonight and will not be available for the next match. Next up for RSL is a midweek match against the Timbers Wednesday, July 16th at Providence Park then comes home to America First Field against visiting Cincinnati FC.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Houston Dynamo 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
RSL – William Agada – 42′
Misconduct Summary
HOU – Felipe Andrade – 35′ – foul
HOU – Artur – 40′ – foul
RSL – Braian Ojeda – 57′ – foul
RSL – Noel Caliskan – 68′ – foul
RSL– William Agade – 72′ – foul
XXX – Name – X’ – reason
XXX – Name – X’ – reason
Officials
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referee: Jeremy Hanson
Assistant Referee: Darren Bandy
4th Official: Matthew Corrigan
Video Assistant Referee: Jorge Gonzales
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Rafeal Cabral; Alex Katranis (Brayan Vera, 67′); Sam Junqua; Justen Glad; Noel Calisakan (Emeka Eneli, 90’+2′); Pablo Ruiz; Braian Ojeda (Bode Hidalgo, 67′); Diego Luna; Zavier Gozo (Ariath Piol, 67′); Diogo Goncalves; William Agada (Philip Quinton, 87′)
Substitutes Not Used: Mason Stajduhar; Dominik Marczuk; Emeka Eneli; Jesus Barea; Johnny Russell
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
Houston Dynamo: Jonathan Bond; Franco Escobar; Ethan Bartlow; Pablo Ortiz; Felipe Andrade (Griffin Dorsey, 69′); Artur (Duane Holmes, 83′); Amine Bassi (Sebastian Kowalczyk, 70′); Lawrence Ennali (Ondrej Lingr, 70′); Jack McGlynn; Brooklyn Raines (Gabe Segal, 89′); Ezequiel Ponce
Substitutes Not Used: Jimmey Maurer; Toyosi Olusanya; Femi Awodesu; Junior Urso
Head Coach: Ben Olsen
Tags: Diego Luna, Houston Dynamo, Major League Soccer, MLS, Real Salt Lake, RSL, Soccer