Real Salt Lake rides two second-half goal past LA Galaxy

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:14 am

Albert Rusnak scored one goal and assisted on another in the second half to lead Real Salt Lake to a 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy in Sandy, Utah on Wednesday. Andrew Putna earned his second clean sheet of the season for RSL.

Salt Lake (4-4-5, 17 points) snapped a two-game home losing streak with its first victory over Los Angeles since 2018. The win boosted RSL back into eighth place in the Western Conference standings ahead of their match at Minnesota on Sunday.

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The Galaxy (4-5-3, 15 points) dropped their first road match of the season. They earned eight points in their previous four road matches this season, tallying a pair of wins and a pair of draws.

David Bingham earned four saves to help the Galaxy stay in the match for a while. An inability to create chances on offense eventually caught up to Los Angeles after halftime.

Salt Lake controlled tempo and possession throughout the first half but had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. RSL pressed the attack and frequently put the Galaxy on their heels in the final third, but only held a 4-2 advantage in total shots over the first 45 minutes.

RSL finally broke the ice in the 65th minute. Rusnak scored his third goal of the season on a penalty kick. Justin Meram drew the penalty for Salt Lake after Bingham undercut him deep in the box while trying to stop Meram from tracking down a long ball.

Rusnak's goal opened the gates for RSL. Kreilach latched onto a cross from Rusnak near the top of the box and blasted the ball down the middle to put Salt Lake up 2-0 in the 72nd minute.

RSL finished with a 12-8 advantage in total shots, putting six balls on frame.