Jose Cifuentes goal gives LAFC tight victory over Real Salt Lake

LAFC earned its first road victory of the season after edging Real Salt Lake 1-0 in Sandy, Utah on Saturday night.

Jose Cifuentes scored the go-ahead goal two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute. It turned out to be the lone shot on goal for LAFC, but that's all they needed. Los Angeles earned its third clean sheet of the season and only its second win in its last 13 road matches. Both have been in Utah against RSL.

LAFC had been outscored 26-11 in its previous 12 road matches.

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Salt Lake suffered its second home loss of the season. RSL edged LAFC 14-9 in total shots and had a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Utah club struggled to finish chances despite dominating possession for long stretches.

Carlos Vela almost put Los Angeles on the board in the 19th minute. Vela blasted a direct free kick from outside the box and clanked the ball off the crossbar.

Salt Lake controlled possession for the bulk of the first half. RSL edged LAFC 7-4 in total shots before halftime. The Utah club put a single ball on frame, while limiting Los Angeles to zero shots on goal.

RSL nearly broke the ice in the 63rd minute. Maikel Chang blasted a left-footer down the center of the box. His shot drew Tomas Romero off his line to force a save near the top of the 6-yard box.

Cifuentes finally put LAFC on the board in the 69th minute. Eddie Segura laid a pass back to Cifuentes near the penalty spot. He blasted the ball down the middle and threaded it inside the right post to give Los Angeles the 1-0 lead.

Rubio Rubin tracked down a long ball and nearly produced an equalizer three minutes later. His right-footer was cleared off the line at the last second by a trailing Segura.