Real Salt Lake achieved an unexpected 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders at Rio Tinto Stadium, putting on a steadfast defensive performance in front of the largest crowd in two years at home.
Damir Kreilach scored the solitary goal for Real Salt Lake in the 48th minute, knocking down a header past Seattle’s Stefan Frei on the back of an Aaron Herrera cross. It was Kreilach’s tenth on the year, and his provider’s ninth assist, continuing what has been a strong season for both keystone players for RSL.
The second half proved a general windfall for RSL, with Seattle Sounders looking exhausted and out of sorts — not a look typical to the team with the highest points-per-game average in the Western Conference coming into the match.