A brace by Albert Rusnak and an additional goal by Sam Johnson propelled Real Salt Lake to their first away win of the year, 3-0, over FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Friday night.
FC Cincinnati dominated much of the first half, setting up scoring opportunities with nine corner kicks (to RSL's zero), with one of their best chances boldly headed off the line by Jefferson Savarino. But mere minutes after getting hit with a yellow card and then dislocating his finger, Rusnak got in great position to slam home a rebounded Corey Baird shot for the opener. Then, just before halftime, multiple RSL players converged on goal for a multiple-shot sequence; Johnson finally got over the line with his attempt.
Though FCC looked keener coming out of the break, hitting the post on a corner kick four minutes in the half, they ended up helping out RSL further close to the hour mark. Mathieu Deplagne chopped Savarino down with a tackle in the box, and Rusnak took the resulting PK for his second goal of the night.
Goals
- 42' – RSL – Albert Rusnak | WATCH
- 45' + 2' – RSL – Sam Johnson | WATCH
- 59' – RSL – Albert Rusnak (PK) | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Real Salt Lake have to be happy to get their first road win of the year, after breaking a four-match losing skid last weekend during a particularly tough part of their schedule. They look up for the battle that Western Conference playoff qualifying will provide. At first, this might look like a random Friday night loss for FC Cincinnati. However, it's the fourth straight match in which FCC have failed to score from open play, and that should be cause for concern.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It only took one goal for RSL to win the match, and Rusnak — with adrenaline no doubt still coursing through his body after his gruesome finger injury — did well to calmly finish a blocked attempt.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Though this clearly belongs to Rusnak, an additional special mention should go out to RSL 'keeper Andrew Putna, who started for a held-back Nick Rimando and recorded a shutout.
Next Up
- CIN: Saturday, April 27 at New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
- RSL: Sunday, April 28 at LA Galaxy (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
