Real Salt Lake ousts LA Galaxy 2-0

Real Salt lake earned themselves three points in the last of their four-game home stretch as they ousted visitors LA Galaxy. Second-half goals from Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach sealed the 2-0 victory.

Aside from Cristian Pavon’s shot that hit the crossbar, neither team had any real golden chances in the first 45 minutes, as RSL logged the only shot on frame. Both teams shared roughly half of possession, and while the Galaxy came out swinging and controlling much of the early game, the pendulum swung back to the home team as RSL finally found their groove for the last 20 or so minutes of the half. Despite that, the teams went into the locker room deadlocked at zero.

RSL came out in the second half with a newfound sense of energy, as both Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach had divine opportunities that David Bingham was able to save, keeping the game scoreless for the time being.

LA again hit the crossbar and then thought they had a goal just moments after, when Feltscher’s header skimmed across Putna’s outstretched hand and bounced off the crossbar, only to find its way to a completely unmarked Chicharito, who tapped it in uncontested with his foot. Fortunately he was miles offside when the header was sent in, so it was waved off and the score remained the same.

RSL earned a PK in the 64th minute when a pass from Everton found Justin Meram wide open on the right side. Meram dribbled into space in the box, but Bingham came off his line, dove to get the ball with his hand but pulled Meram to the ground instead. Silviu Petrescu pointed to the spot immediately, and Rusnak sent it into the top corner to put the home side in the lead.

Kreilach doubled the lead in the 72nd when Rusnak collected the ball down the left side and ran toward the corner. He held the ball until he found the right moment to slide it across the top of the box to Kreilach, who easily sent it into the far right corner well out of Bingham’s reach.

RSL outshout the Galaxy and ended up with a little more possession in the end as they cruised through the second 45 minutes to a 2-0 victory. They’ll head to Minnesota to face the Loons on Sunday.

Lineups

Real Salt Lake
Putna; Herrera, Glad, Onuoha, Toia; Luiz, Ruiz; Baird (75’ Martinez), Rusnak, Meram (75’ Chang); Kreilach

Los Angeles Galaxy
Bingham; Feltscher, Steres, DePuy, Insua; Kitchen, dos Santos (73’ Corona); Cuello (57’ Alvarez), Lletget (81’ Dunbar), Pavon; Chicharito (80’ Zubak)

Discipline

24’ - LAG - Nick Depuy (yellow)
62’ - RSL - Corey Baird (yellow)
64’ - LAG - David Bingham (yellow)

Scoring

65’ - RSL - Albert Rusnak (PK)
72’ - RSL - Damir Kreilach (Albert Rusnak)