RSL Blows Lead – Advances with Penalties
Real Salt Lake blew a 2-0 2nd half lead, but came back and defeated San Jose 4-3 in penalty kicks Wednesday night.
“I don’t think that we played well with a lead for most of the match,” said RSL Coach Jason Kreis. “To have a response from our guys when they went from being 2 up to down… is another piece of fight we can put in our bank.”
Many of RSL’s starters sat out the match; however, Robbie Findley started and scored his first goal of the season. Nelson Gonzalez also scored his first goal in a RSL jersey.
In the final 16 minutes, RSL gave up two goals and let the match slip into extra time.
FIFA rules no longer prescribe sudden death or the “golden goal,” which is good for RSL because they gave up another goal in the first extra period. Fortunately, with just a few minutes to go, Nat Borchers scored an equalizer that sent the match to penalties.
Real’s Johnson, Beckerman, Findley, Russell, and Williams all made their penalty kicks, while San Jose missed their first kick. As a result, Real advances and will face the winner of DC United and FC Dallas.
Game Notes
Chris Wingert left the match early with a hamstring injury. Kreis said after the match that Wingert is unlikely to play Saturday.
Many of RSL’s normal starters did not start, but Russell, Beckerman, and Williams all subbed into the match. They received more minutes than Kreis planned, given the 30 extra minutes.
Real is now in a hole as they will be tired for Saturday’s match in LA.
Category: Game Review
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[...] This should remind Real fans of the match against L.A. three days after the side had faced San Jose in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. Toronto has played three matches in a week and should be very tired by the second half. If Real [...]
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[...] as is Andy Williams. Defender Nat Borchers was the captain last time Beckerman didn't start (a US Open Cup qualifier at San Jose). Look for all three of these starters to step up in the absence of [...]
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[...] Real has already beaten the Earthquakes twice this season: a blow-out to start the season, and a close US Open Cup qualifier that went to penalty kicks. After last season's poor performance, San Jose has turned around their side and would make [...]