RSL downs Orlando, 2-1, halts losing streak

Real Salt Lake ran out 2-1 winners over Orlando City to halt a four-game losing streak, with Sam Johnson and Damir Kreilach providing the goals.

Sam Johnson notched his first goal in an RSL kit in the 17th minute, scoring from a beautifully placed shot that nestled in the far post from a right angle. The shot came after a slip in the box on a run, which put Orlando’s defense in dire straits.

The 25th minute saw an untimely substitution, when Everton Luiz looked to have sustained a leg injury after tackling the ball out for a throw; Nick Besler replaced him.

Damir Kreilach doubled the lead in the 55th, slamming a shot past the goalkeeper from near the penalty spot, picking up a brilliantly weighted pass from Jefferson Savarino.

Orlando pulled one back from a free kick on the edge of RSL’s box, with Nani scoring past Nick Rimando over the wall, prompting an angry rebuke from the goalkeeper.

After some touch-and-go defending, in which RSL held possession for seconds on the hour, the tram ran out winners; some late controversy sparked with Orlando’s Will Johnson cleaning out Rimando to receive a yellow card.