By CALEB SONNELAND
Real Salt Lake is back to its winning ways after it ousted a red-hot FC Dallas 2-0 on Saturday thanks to second-half strikes from Andy Williams and Fabian Espindola.
The deadlock was broken almost immediately after halftime when Kevin Hartman failed to hold onto an Andy Williams free kick when the keeper got behind the ball but couldn't hold onto it as it trickled across the line to earn the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Espindola sealed the deal in the dying seconds of the match after he was sprung free by Will Johnson in midfield. The striker received the ball from Johnson before rounding George John and slotting home at the near post for his fourth goal in seven games.
FC Dallas had a golden opportunity to get back on level terms in the 85th minute when Jackson was left with a simple tap-in opportunity following some clever play from Brek Shea, but RSL defender Chris Wingert was on hand to clear off the line to deny the visitors a place on the score board.
The Royals came close to opening the scoring in the 40 minute when midfielder Will Johnson, after being set up by Alvaro Saborio laid him off for a shot, snapped his effort at at keeper Kevin Hartman but the FCD stopper was up to the task and parried wide to keep his side level.
FC Dallas was unlucky to lose its key midfielder Andrew Jacobson in the first half following a tackle from RSL captain Kyle Beckerman. He was replaced by 25-year-old Ricardo Villar in the 30th minute, an impact player in form from his goal and assist in the US Open Cup victory over Orlando City in the last round of the competition. But Villar wasn't able to make the most of his extended cameo as his side fizzled out for the loss.
Rookie defender Bobby Warshaw was called upon to replace captain Daniel Hernandez in the holding midfield role with Hernandez not even dressing for FCD on the night. The newcomer was on hand to snuff out several attacks as well as spring some of his side's own, however, his inexperience was evident on several occasions when he was caught out of position and exposed in midfield.
Both teams came into the match on their respective hot streaks; RSL undefeated in six while FCD suffered only one loss in its last 13 games.
Here are the match highlights.
The match was a precursor for both team's next fixture as the two sides will swap venues when FC Dallas plays host to Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup next Tuesday, July 12th.
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What does the result mean for both teams? How much does this result mean for next week's USOC fixture?
As a US fan it’s great to see Gil playing, and well.
But he should have taken that shot. It was a nice pass attempt, but he has to have the confidence and aggressiveness to score goals.
And he’s an American. But our national team is DOOMED I tell you!
The same goes for #5 Benitez of FC Dallas. He looked like he was auditioning to teach at the Davies Summer School for Diving.
Great game though.
Dallas looked like they might have been expecting the RSL team that let New England score 3 on them.
Wingert is the man. And I swear, #6 for FCD plays like he’s from Italy, spent more time on the grass than on his feet.
I had fun tonight.
Yes about Gil and kries said on the postgames that he wants Gil to look for his shot on goal. He looks great for beig only 17.
Anyone else excited to see Luis Gil playing the full 90 for RSL at only 17 years old?