
Real Salt Lake Falls 2-0 to Sporting KC
July 22, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release
KISSIMMEE, Florida - Real Salt Lake (1-1-1, 4 points) suffered its first defeat of the 2020 season in falling 2-0 to Sporting Kansas City in the final Group Stage match of the MLS Is Back Tournament. After a strong start to the Group Stage, RSL clinched advancement to the Round of 16, with the schedule and the opponent still to be determined.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath finished with three saves, but a goal in the opening minute from Kansas City had RSL chasing the game early on and an 87th minute goal put it out of reach.
Postgame Quotes from RSL v SKC.
Sporting KC immediately took ahold of the match, finding the game's opening goal in just the first minute when Johnny Russell volleyed home a failed RSL clearance inside the box. From there, RSL tried to claw its way back into the game and found success through wide areas but couldn't find a goal before the halftime break.
In the second half, RSL saw the majority of the possession but failed to truly test Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia. Head Coach Freddy Juarez utilized all five of his available substitutions in search of fresh legs and a goal, but it was Sporting who struck late through a substitute of their own in Gerso, who's left-footed shot sealed the full three points for the Kansas side.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake will now await the result of Minnesota and Colorado to see where it will be seeded in the Round of 16. Minnesota and Colorado kick off at 8:30p MT on ESPN.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SKC: Johnny Russell (Alan Pulido), 1st minute: From a corner kick, the ball was never cleared from the area properly and on the third time of asking, Russell volleyed the ball into the net through traffic to take the early lead.
SKC: Gerso (Alan Pulido) 86th minute: A switch from the middle third of the field found Gerson on the right side of the penalty area. Gerson then cut into his left foot before firing a left-footed shot into the far side netting to double the advantage.
NOTES:
- Real Salt Lake advances to the knockout round of the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament where it awaits its opponent in the Round of 16.
- The loss marked Real Salt Lake's first in 2020.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City
Date: July 22, 2020
Venue: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; Kissimmee, Florida
Weather: Cloudy and 82 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Sporting Kansas City 1 1 2
SKC: Johnny Russell (Alan Pulido) 1'
SKC: Gerso (Alan Pulido) 86'
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Erik Holt, Donny Toia; Everton Luiz, Kyle Beckerman (Pablo Ruiz 64'); Corey Baird (Jeizon Ramirez 77'), Damir Kreilach (Giuseppe Rossi 72'), Justin Meram (Maikel Chang 64'); Sam Johnson (Douglas Martinez HT)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Marcelo Silva, Alvin Jones, Justin Portillo, Luke Mulholland, Nick Besler, Tate Schmitt, Milan Iloski
Sporting KC (4-3-3): Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Roberto Puncec, Graham Smith, Luis Martins (Amadou Dia 67'); Roger Espinoza (Felipe Hernandez 58'), Ilie Sanchez, Gianluca Busio (Gadi Kinda 67'); Khiry Shelton (Daniel Salloi 84'), Alan Pulido, Johnny Russell (Gerso 84')
Subs not used: Richard Sanchez, Winston Reid, Matt Besler, Jaylin Lindsey, Cameron Duke, Wan Kuzain, Erik Hurtado
Stats Summary: RSL / SKC
Shots: 5 / 10
Shots on Goal: 1 / 4
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 11
Offside: 1 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Erik Holt (caution) 20'
SKC: Ilie Sanchez (caution) 36'
RSL: Sam Johnson (caution) 40'
RSL: Kyle Beckerman (caution) 55'
SKC: Gianluca Busio (caution) 56'
SKC: Graham Smith (caution) 62'
RSL: Justen Glad (caution) 71'
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Jeremy Hanson
4th Official: Joe Dickerson
VAR: Drew Fischer
AVAR: Logan Brown
Major League Soccer Stories from July 22, 2020
- FC Cincinnati Defeat New York, 2-0 and Knock Red Bulls out of Tournament - New York Red Bulls
- Orange and Blue advance to MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage - FC Cincinnati
- Impact Reaches Round of 16 of MLS Is Back Tournament - Club de Foot Montreal
- Three Points: Houston Dynamo Close Group Play against LA Galaxy and Vie for Spot in Knockout Round - Houston Dynamo FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC Acquire Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois on Loan from Montreal Impact - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions Announced - MLS
- Greater Orlando 2026 FIFA World Cup Pursuit Partners Present to FIFA and U.S. Soccer - Orlando City SC
- Real Salt Lake Falls 2-0 to Sporting KC - Real Salt Lake
- Sporting Sinks RSL 2-0 to Reach Knockout Stage - Sporting Kansas City
- KCOP and Estrella TV to Re-Air Saturday Night's 6-2 LAFC Victory over Galaxy - Los Angeles FC
- Newest MLS Expansion Club Unveils Name, Crest and Colors - Charlotte FC
- Trevor Burns Named 2020 UnitedHealthcare Revolution Academy Player of the Year - New England Revolution
- D.C. United Fall to Montreal in Final Match of the MLS Is Back Tournament - D.C. United
- Match Report - Montreal Impact 1-0 D.C. United - Club de Foot Montreal
- Revolution to Play Philadelphia Union in Round of 16 on July 25 - New England Revolution
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Real Salt Lake Stories
- Five-Game RSL Unbeaten Streak Snapped in Late 0-1 Loss to Shield Leaders Cincinnati
- Surging Real Salt Lake Sees Five-Game Unbeaten Run on Line Saturday vs. FC Cincinnati
- RSL Extends Unbeaten Run with 1-0 Win in Portland Behind Gonçalves Finish, Cabral Heroics
- Real Salt Lake Icon Diego Luna Headlines 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge
- Real Salt Lake Takes Four-Game Unbeaten Run on Road Wednesday at Portland Timbers

