SANDY—Real Salt Lake is still within reach of a playoff run after a 2-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium over the Seattle Sounders. Both RSL goals were scored in the first half by Javier Morales and Sebastián Jaime, respectively.
Luis Silva pushed the ball into the 18-yard box and off the hand of Seattle defender Tyrone Mears, resulting in a penalty kick. Javier Morales toed the line of an illegal stutter step, but put RSL up 1-0 on the penalty kick in the 12th minute.
In the 19th minute, Luke Mulholland drilled a shot off the crossbar, the rebound of which was headed by Jaime into the net behind frustrated Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei to extend RSL’s lead to 2-0.
RSL received a scare later in the first half when Sounders forward Obafemi Martins lasered a shot above an outstretched Nick Rimando and off the crossbar to keep Seattle scoreless.
Luis Silva nearly put the dagger away for RSL but nearly missed a feed inside the 6-yard box from Luke Mulholland. Jamison Olave likewise just missed a header, but Frei deflected the shot over the top of the crossbar.
RSL defended Seattle’s offensive attacks and kept possession of the ball in the second half.
New RSL forward Juan “Burrito” Martinez was available for substitution, but did not make his debut for the team.
RSL’s next match will be next Saturday, August 29th, at FC Dallas at 7:00pm. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:00 on ESPN700.
