Rimando, Real Salt Lake post shutout of Crew

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:21 am

Nick Rimando extended his Major League Soccer record with his 147th career shutout when Real Salt Lake defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday.

Sam Johnson provided a goal in the 38th minute and Rimando did not need to make a save for his fourth shutout of the season for RSL (8-8-2), which won its second straight and fourth in a row at home.

Columbus (5-12-2) has lost three straight, all by shutout, and has not scored in 299 minutes. The Crew is winless in seven (six losses, tie), is 1-11-1 in their past 13 games and have lost seven consecutive road games. They were blanked for the ninth time.

The Crew found itself in a familiar position after allowing the first goal for the 12th time (0-11-1). Columbus had the better of Real Salt Lake in the half but allowed a goal from out of nowhere by Johnson.

Aaron Herrera sent a ball from in front of the RSL goal to the center circle where Crew defenders Alex Crognale and 19-year-old Aboubacar Keita, in his MLS debut, let it fall to an onrushing Johnson, who streaked toward the goal for his third score in two games and eighth of the season.

Prior to that, the Crew ran into hard luck befitting a struggling team. In the 13th minute, they argued for a penalty when Rimando tripped JJ Williams as he reached for the ball. The pleas were denied after video review.

In the 27th, Crognale's header from a Pedro Santos corner smacked the crossbar. It was an eventful half for Crognale, who made a goal-line save with his left shoulder on a strike by Damir Kreilach in the 32nd minute.

RSL had its own misfortune at the hour mark as Albert Rusnak's shot from outside the box hit the post.

On Saturday, RSL plays at San Jose and the Crew hosts the Seattle Sounders.