Real Salt Lake back in win column with shutout of LAFC

Three different players scored goals to help Real Salt Lake end a three-match winless streak with a 3-0 victory over LAFC at Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday night.

Salt Lake goalkeeper Andrew Putna earned his first shutout in his fourth start of the season.

The victory moved RSL two points ahead of LAFC in the Western Conference standings. Salt Lake now sits just three points back from first-place Minnesota United FC.

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LAFC lost for the fourth time in five matches. The club also finished on the wrong end of a clean sheet for the third time in that stretch.

Salt Lake struck first in the ninth minute, going up 1-0 on a header from Damir Kreilach. Maikel Chang flicked it inside from the back corner of the box, and Kreilach sent the ball forward inside the left post. It marked just the second time RSL scored first in a match this season.

Justin Meram extended Salt Lake's lead to 2-0 in the 47th minute. Meram tracked down the ball in traffic before LAFC could clear it following a corner kick and slotted an easy shot inside the post.

Albert Rusnak added an insurance goal, blasting in a right-footer on a penalty kick in the 79th minute. Rusnak earned a chance at making the chip shot when Jordan Harvey was whistled for a hand ball inside the penalty area.

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LAFC attacked early and often but struggled to finish in the final third.

The club's best chance at a goal came during the 88th minute when Adrien Perez drilled a right-footer from the right side of the 6-yard box. Perez's shot narrowly missed when the ball clanked off the post.

RSL edged LAFC 19-18 in total shots. Both teams put eight shots apiece on frame.