Real Salt Lake celebrate their win over the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at America First Field on Saturday APR 22, 2023. (Major League Soccer)

by Marko Ukalovic

Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at America First Field.

San Jose had its four-match unbeaten streak snapped with the loss and are winless on the road this season (0-3-1). Real Salt Lake has won two of its past three matches.

RSL (3-5-0) drew first blood in the 39th minute. Danny Musovski led a three-on-one odd man counterattack. He found Jasper Löffelsend who beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski with a shot just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (4-3-2) scored the equalizer early in the second half off a set piece. A free kick by Christian Espinoza in the 49th minute deflected off Rubio Rubin just inside the left post for team-leading sixth goal of the season.

“I thought we were in it,” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez about the match. “I thought we responded well the second half getting the early goal. For moments, I thought they showed some moments of quality and were putting away their chances, whereas we didn’t.”

Real Salt Lake regained the lead five minutes later. Andrés Gómez found Jefferson Savarino along the left wing. Savarino made a move inside before firing a shot to the far corner of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season in the 54th minute.

RSL put the game away in the 80th minute with an insurance goal. Bryan Oviedo centered a ball into the middle where Gómez made one touch before firing a shot past Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

“We pride ourselves on being a compact team, a team that doesn’t allow chances to be created through those this year, but they were able to find a way to do it. I think it’s about keep doing what we’ve been doing. I know it was a little bit too spacious. We could’ve been tighter between our lines and maybe could’ve prevented it, but I think they have fast players and good players that can hurt you in those moments,” ‘Quakes captain Jackson Yueill said.

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath made two saves on three shots on target to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made three saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with one corner kick. RSL had three.

The Quakes are now 14-14-12 all-time vs. Real Salt Lake, including a 5-8-7 record on the road.

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