Real Salt Lake scored a late goal and won in Portland for the first time since 2017.
Real Salt Lake has come alive. They beat the Timbers 1-0 to capture their third straight victory and extend their unbeaten streak to five straight. RSL defeated the Timbers in Portland for the first time since 2017, doing so in style. Diego Gonlzalves scored in the 83rd minute, and that ended up being the difference. Both goalkeepers played well, with Cabral making a few huge saves to keep the clean sheet.
The game-winning goal came off a lazy turnover by the Timbers’ midfield, and Gonzalves played the second-half sub Ari Piol into space. Piol then returned the favor by playing Gonzalves wide. Gonzlaves took a couple of touches into the box and then fired the shot in at the near post. Portland was stunned silent.
Real Salt Lake showed various improvements in their last match. The attack found some solid rhythm, and the backline looked stronger. Cabral is getting better and better each match, and more players are stepping up throughout the pitch. Zavier Gozo has started to look more and more like a starter, and Gonzalves’ second goal in three matches has proven he is a quality player.
Real Salt Lake has back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season, and it really has been a team effort. From back to front, it was all clicking, and everyone was on the same page. Unfortunately, centerback Justen Glad took an elbow to the face, so hopefully he is ok. Other than that, it went according to plan for RSL. It was possibly the most complete match the squad has played this season.
Three Takeaways from RSL’s 1-0 win over Portland
- When the team works together, good things happen: RSL played together last night, and it paid off. Everyone stuck with their defensive assignments, and good passes were made leading up to the goal.
- Defense wins matches: RSL was strong in defense, limiting the Timber’s opportunities and making it hard for them to get good shots on target. This gave RSL the ability to win with just one goal.
- Counterattacking and takeaways are this team’s bread and butter: RSL’s goal came after a sloppy play by a Timbers player. If RSL can keep forcing silly errors and be quick in transition, it will be a great way for them to score.
RSL was on fire yesterday. Everything they did was with purpose and was executed perfectly. Once again, Rafael Cabral came up big and every player on that pitch deserves to celebrate. It wasn’t the flashiest win, but they ground it out. As Brian Dunseth said on the broadcast: Sometimes you can’t get greedy and just have to grind it out. RSL worked hard yestereday and it is good to see them win in Portland. There is still a long season ahead, and if RSL keeps playing like this, they will go places.
