By CALEB SONNELAND
In another week of unlikely goal-scorers, centerback Patrick Ianni and midfielder Lamar Neagle got on the scoresheet for the Seattle Sounders to deal Real Salt Lake a 2-1 defeat, its first home loss in league play since May 16, 2009 — a span of 29 matches.
RSL midfielder Nelson Gonzalez pulled one back for the hosts late in the game, but RSL couldn't earn the point as the Sounders marched out of Rio Tinto as victors.
The most notable changes for the visiting side were the omission of DP Fredy Montero and the return of midfielder Brad Evans. Montero was left out of the lineup after having started the last six games in a row for Seattle with Nate Jaqua taking his place, while Evans fought back from injury to force his way back into the starting XI in lieu of Mauro Rosales.
For RSL, Fabian Espindola took charge up top as the lone striker in place of Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez from last week's draw against FC Dallas. Chris Wingert also made way for Robbie Russell on the back line as Nick Rimando and his defense looked to keep a clean sheet for the fourth straight game.
Both Real Salt Lake and Seattle have struggled in attack recently, and in 540 minutes of play, the two had only combined for three goals. The Sounders and Royals were both blanked by FC Dallas in their respective previous games, so pressure was on the offensive units to put together a cohesive and efficient performance.
However, there was little to celebrate throughout the first half as both sides looked to find a foothold in a match with few opportunities.
Nate Jaqua found himself a few chances in the air, while Grabavoy and Alexandre registered good efforts towards Kasey Keller's goal between good spells of play from RSL.
One of the more crucial moments in the half was the early loss of Seattle's Alvaro Fernandez to a hamstring injury in the 18th minute which saw Neagle come in as a replacement.
Injuries have plagued the Sounders thus far in the season, and the injury to the Sounders' DP will do Sigi Schmid no favors in fielding his strongest 11 players.
With no clear goal-scoring opportunities for either side going into the break, it was up to managers Schmid and Kreis to introduce a killer instinct in both teams as play resumed in the second half.
It didn't take long for Salt Lake pressure to pose a threat on the Seattle goal as a poor Friberg defensive header set up Espindola for a good chance to break the deadlock, but his shot couldn't find its way past Keller in the 49th minute.
Only a moment later, RSL defender Jamison Olave had a header tipped onto the crossbar, and it looked like the home side were on the brink of opening the scoring.
The momentum in the match made a huge swing in the 57th minute, however, when Olave was sent off with a straight red after bringing down Mike Fucito on the edge of the area.
Smelling blood, the Sounders then began to try and push for a historic result at Rio Tinto and snap Real Salt Lake's winning streak at home.
The moment came when Jaqua rose highest to a corner and nodded it into the path of Montero who nudged the ball to Seattle center back Ianni to prod home for a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute.
Up a man and a goal, Seattle looked to try and close out the game, but about six minutes from time, Neagle played a good one-two pass on the sideline before teeing up a shot to put under Rimando's crossbar and double the Sounders' lead. The goal was the first of the 24-year-old's MLS career.
Gonzalez pulled one back for the home side only three minutes later in the 87th to provide some hope for Real Salt Lake as he skipped past Ianni to blast the ball past Keller.
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What did you think of the game? Did Olave deserve his straight red? Is Neagle's goal in contention for Goal of the Week?
Share your thoughts below
Whoops! I meant “Won that game”.
The Ref was crap from the start. I watched the game at the Riot and watched it on TV the next day. I’ve never felt like the calls were so one sided before. Alonso should have had 2 yellows in the first half alone. He told/signaled 2 sounders “that’s 2 no more” they kept doing the same crap, and he kept warning them? That game should have ended 10 vs. 10. Sounders would still have one that game, cause RSL played like crap! They should trade Alexandre! Worthless! Did he pass it forward once? I’m not worried about Olave being gone next week, Schuler has proven he can fill that gap. I still believe RSL’s a deep enough squad to win, but they’re not on the same page!
I think he was telling the ref that he had failed to produce a card thus far in the game. There were plenty of yellow worthy fouls that cards were not pulled, so Beckerman was just trying to keep him consistent.
Was it necessary? No. But he definitely had a point.
Right on, I was in the upper deck when it got scored, and I didn’t make a point of remembering it.
Didn’t see the game but it’s disapointing to see RSL struggle. With Morales out and three important players away for GC RSL can’t afford players like Olave to pick up red cards.
I hope Paolo Jr is ready to play soon.
Yeah I noticed that, any time you lay hands on a ref a yellow card should be produced instantly. It is entirely unprofessional and thuggish.
The ball was played twice after the corner was taken (Jaqua and Montero), so the exception would not have applied. However, two players were between Ianni and the goal line, so no offside.
The red card was deserved. Although some of his best attackers were missing, Sigi attacked with 5 or 6 players. Hopefully he can keep up his commitment to attack the entire year. The back-line continues to unnecessarily boot everything long down the pitch. Perhaps Evans and Alonso can demand they play out to them. Neagle and Fucito looked lively, while Jaqua added clumsy energy.
A road win is a road win, in this league wins are gold. Look at all the ties that happen each week.
I loved Kries’ quote that any other ref in the mls only gives a yellow. That is the problem with mls refs that should be a red everytime.
Wasn’t the first goal a corner? IE, not a real goal…
Great result for Seattle. Shouldn’t pretend it’s more than it is — a narrow win over a 10-man RSL team sorely depleted by international duty — but after that midweek disaster against FC Dallas I’ll take it.
Not the first time he’s tried, he grabbed the ref’s pocket in Mexico when he got his second yellow, trying to hold it in there.
Wasn’t the first goal a corner? IE, not offside…
Did you guys see Beckerman try to take the red card from the ref? WTF is up with that? I have respect for Beckerman and I think he is a good player, but that was disrespectful and classless. He should have at least been yellow carded for that.
You beat me to it huh!
Sorry to spoil your trolling, but I distinctly see a Real SL player on the line at the post. Sorry, not offsides.
Checked the replay, first goal is clearly onside. Hard to be in an offside position when the defenders have two players on the goal line.
First goal was offsides, check the replay. Neagle’s goal was pretty spectacular though.
Neagle will rock you!
thx for the fix 😉
…not that USL or Finland rate highly but…
Neagle’s goal is the first of his “MLS” career.
Neagle GOTW!