Real Salt Lake defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on Wednesday night at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, behind goals on either side of halftime by Andrés Gómez and Diego Luna.
RSL had the first real chance of the match in the 22nd minute when Brayan Vera’s attempt on a half-volley from the top of the box was parried over the bar by Stefan Frei.
Gómez gave Salt Lake the lead in the 27th minute when he cut inside on the right side of the box and finished off a counterattack at the far post.
Seattle nearly equalized two minutes later when Paul Rothrock flicked a header into Danny Musovski’s path, but his shot from close range was saved by Gavin Beavers.
Gómez had another gilt-edge chance in the 38th minute when a couple of back heels from Chicho Arango and Matt Crooks set up Gómez from 10 yards out, but he scuffed his attempt and put it well over the crossbar.
Justen Glad had a great opportunity in the 40th minute when he one-timed a left-footed shot from six yards out, but it was right at Frei.
Luna doubled the lead in the 58th minute when he snuck free on the left side on a through ball from Vera, cut inside and then fired a right-footed shot to the far post.
Luna almost earned a brace in the 70th minute when he dribbled across the 18-yard box, but Frei got a crucial touch on the shot to push it over the crossbar.
Gómez forced Frei into a diving save in the 74th minute on a counterattack when his shot to the far post was pushed wide.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Minoungou first MLS start
After getting his first Sounders First Team start in the U.S. Open Cup last week against Louisville City, Georgi Minoungou earned his first MLS start on Wednesday. The Tacoma Defiance short-term loanee was active and lively all evening on the left flank.
Chú injured
Léo Chú suffered an unfortunate first-half injury on Wednesday while stretching for a ball on a cross. Rothrock replaced the Brazilian winger in the 21st minute.
Quick turnaround
The Sounders return to Lumen Field on Saturday night for their third match in seven days when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
