RSL remains winless in Minnesota with 4-0 loss

Despite a fantastic first half from RSL, the wheels fell off in the second half as Minnesota put in four unanswered goals to knock off the visitors with a 4-0 score line. In four visits to Minnesota since they entered the league, RSL has dropped every result.

We saw the return of the diamond formation tonight as Freddy Juarez put out a completely different-look lineup than anything we’ve seen recently. Obviously resting some legs as Albert Rusnak, Damir Kreilach, Corey Baird, and Aaron Herrera are just some of the names that didn’t crack the starting lineup tonight. We saw Giuseppe Rossi get his first-ever start for RSL as he slotted in at the #10 spot, pulling the strings for Sam Johnson and Douglas Martinez just in front of him,

It would appear Real Salt Lake was robbed around the 14th minute when Rossi let a shot rip from the top of the box. Minnesota ‘keeper Dayne St. Clair made a save but instead of catching it, he pushed it above and behind him, and it was heading straight into the goal. St. Clair ran back and caught the ball in a position that appeared to be completely over the goal line. Unfortunately, the VAR didn’t flag the referee to look at a video review so the score line stayed at 0-0.

Further replays on television showed that the ball indeed appeared to be completely over the line, and a video review certainly could have shown that it was a goal.

RSL thought they struck first in the 26th minute thanks to a fantastic ball in off a free kick from Rossi, that found Nedum Onuoha who was able to head it down past St. Clair and into the back of the net. However, the referee went to video review on this play and deemed Onuoha offside, reversing the goal decision.

Minnesota broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Kevin Molino found Chase Gasper on the left side of the box with space in front of him. Zac MacMath came off his line and Gasper was able to easily slot it past him, putting the home side up 1-0 early in the second half.

Less than 10 minutes later, the Loons doubled their lead thanks to a breakaway goal from Robin Lod, who was able to collect a pass after running through past Erik Holt and Justen Glad. MacMath again came off his line and Lod sent a shot sailing in past him putting his team up 2-0 midway through the second half.

Substitute Jacori Hayes added a third for Minnesota that would all but put the nail in the coffin for RSL. The ball found its way to him thanks to some fancy work from Raheem Edwards and Kevin Molino. A quick give-and-go put Molino on a breakaway headed toward MacMath on the same side he’d given up the first two goals. MacMath, again, came off his line, while Molino quickly laid the ball to Edwards, who knocked it back to Hayes who was able to put it into an empty net.

Albert Rusnak put one in the back of the net late in the game but the goal was called back due to Sam Johnson — who assisted on the play — being caught in an offside position.

Minnesota put a little more salt in RSL’s wound when Robin Lod found his second goal in the 90th minute when a pass went his way on the right side of the box. With no defenders in his immediate area, Lod sent a shot in past MacMath to finish the game off 4-0.

Lineups

Real Salt Lake
MacMath; Glad, Holt, Onuoha, Schmitt; Beckerman (78’ Kreilach); Luiz, Besler (73’ Baird); Rossi (78’ Rusnak); Martinez (73’ Chang), Johnson

Minnesota United FC
St. Clair; Metanire, Aja, Boxall, Gasper; Gregus, Alonso (18’ Dotson); Lod, Reynoso (72’ Edwards), Molino; Toye (64’ Hayes)

Discipline

56’ - MIN - Emanuel Reynoso (yellow card)
73’ - RSL - Kyle Beckerman (yellow card)

Scoring

53’ - MIN - Chase Gasper (Kevin Molino)
62’ - MIN - Robin Lod (Emanuel Reynoso)
75’ - MIN - Jacori Hayes (Rhaeem Edwards, Kevin Molino)
90’ - MIN - Robin Lod (Hassani Dotson)