RSL beats DC United with brilliant long shot
Courtesy photo
Real Salt Lake players celebrate after scoring a goal during their match at DC United on Saturday, June 17, 2023.Real Salt Lake (6-7-5, 23 points, 7th West) defeated D.C. United 2-1 behind a 68.24-yard wonder strike from midfielder Pablo Ruiz in his own half, along with a second-half goal from Danny Musovski to extend the team’s unbeaten road stretch to eight games, matching a Club record from November 2013 to May 2014.
RSL winger Andrés Gómez looked keen to find the back of the net early on with several opportunities, but goalkeeper Tyler Miller was able to stifle the Colombian’s advances.
Following a free-kick opportunity, Real Salt Lake found itself in a bit of a panic, as a shot from D.C. United bounced around the six-yard-box, but after several attempts Andrew Brody was finally able to clear the ball out of the area. In the 22nd minute, Diego Luna slalomed his way through the midfield to find the feet of Gomez, but the winger’s attempt was blocked by Miller.
In the 26th minute, Real Salt Lake received a man-advantage for the first time this season, as D.C. United’s Steven Birnbaum was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity from forward Danny Musovski, reducing the home side to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Just before the end of the first half, Ruiz detected Miller way off his line, prompting the midfielder to launch a wonder strike from several yards behind the midfield line, tucking the ball into the top-right corner, giving RSL the 1-0 lead and himself a clear candidate for MLS Goal of the Year. Ruiz’s goal was officially recorded as being 68.24 yards from long, going top 90 in his 100th career RSL/MLS regular-season appearance.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Claret-and-Cobalt were quick to double its lead in the 51st minute, Gómez drove towards the endline, cutting across to find Musovski, who tapped his shot inside the near post. However, D.C. United were able to pull one back just moments later when Chris Durkin capitalized on a poor clearance inside the 18-yard-box, cutting RSL’s lead in half.
Up a goal and up a man, Real Salt Lake was able to withstand the remaining efforts of D.C. United to equalize, with the team’s backline and goalkeeper Zac MacMath preventing any and all chances from the home team, giving RSL the 2-1 road win.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake remains on the road to face St. Louis CITY SC this Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The team will then return to America First Field on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. MT to host Minnesota United for the Club’s annual Pride Night. Gates open on the U of U Health Plaza at 6:00 p.m. MT, with fans encouraged to arrive early for special pregame ceremonies commemorating milestones for both Pablo Ruiz and Justen Glad.
