Orlando City
Johnson scores early goal; Orlando City shuts out RSL
got its 2nd road win of the season as Will Johnson’s goal in the 17th minute held up and the Lions shut out Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Friday.
SANDY, Utah — Players tried to stay motivated. Coaches tried to remain calm and focused. That can be hard to do when a team has one win in 11 games.
Orlando City needed a boost, something to celebrate. It needed to close out this rough three-game road trip with something — and that something was three points.
The Lions (8-6-5, 29 points) scored early and held on for a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake (5-12-2, 17 points) in a Friday night match at Rio Tinto Stadium that was broadcast nationally on ESPN.
In 2009, Will Johnson led Real Salt Lake to an MLS Cup victory. Friday night, he handed RSL a defeat.
In the 17th minute, José Aja rushed the goal and delivered a header that ricocheted off the crossbar, fell directly to the ground and rolled back out into
the box. Johnson was there, maneuvering through a hoard of lunging bodies, to net the rebound for a 1-0 lead in front of an announced crowd of 19,218 people.
Toward the end of the half, RSL ripped a couple long balls that looked dangerous. One sailed just over the crossbar. The other, a shot from Jefferson Savarino, hit Joe Bendik’s gloves and bounced backward but cleared wide of the goal to end the first half.
The crowd grew louder when RSL won two free kicks a few yards outside the box late in the second half. The first, taken by Joao Plata, cleared the wall of players but skimmed wide of the near post. Albert Rusnak, the home team’s assist leader who had returned from a stint with Slovakia’s youth national team a few days earlier, subbed on in the 78th minute and took the second free kick moments later. He sent the ball low into players’ feet to be easily cleared.
Orlando City coach Jason Kreis ended his playing career and started his coaching career with RSL. Friday night marked his second return to Rio Tinto Stadium since leaving after the 2013 season. The first was in 2015 when he coached New York City FC, and he lost 2-0.
RSL entered the match second to last in the West while Orlando City remained fourth in the Eastern Conference despite its recent struggles.
Kreis lined up a flat 4-4-2 formation, with Kaká on the left side of the midfield and Johnson on the right. Cristian Higuita and Antonio Nocerino held down the center at the beginning of the match, but Servando Carrasco replace Nocerino at halftime. Nocerino left the game with inflammation in his right hamstring, according to a spokesman for the club.
Striker Cyle Larin returned to the lineup after a three-game suspension following a DUI charge. The physicality he bring to games was missed. He drew defenders all night, as he usually does, providing gaps for his teammates to work in.
In the final minutes of the game, players’ tempers flared. Higuita and Kyle Beckerman received yellow cards in the 87th and 88th minutes for unsportsmanlike behavior and dissent, respectively. Richie Laryea subbed on for Higuita immediately the exchange.
Orlando City fought for a second goal during three minutes of stoppage time. It never came, but the Lions didn’t need it.
They now head home to face Eastern Conference leader Toronto FC next week.
Utah roots
Kreis, members of his staff and Johnson all have fond memories of their days at Real Salt Lake.
“Salt Lake is near and dear to my heart,” Kreis said. “Utah in general is where my kids grew up. That’s where I got my start as a coach and where a lot of good things happened.”