Sergi Solans scored two goals and assisted another as Real Salt Lake defeated San Diego FC 4-2 on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah. Real Salt Lake scored twice within the first six minutes of the match.
Diego Luna contributed one goal and two assists, while Morgan Guilavogui also scored, helping Real Salt Lake improve to 5-1-1 with 16 points. The team is currently on a six-match unbeaten streak (5-0-1).
This strong start matches the best in the 22-year history of the franchise, equaling the 2011 team’s 5-1-1 record.
Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer found the net for San Diego FC (3-3-2, 11 points), who have not won in their last five matches (0-3-2) and have lost their last three by a total of 9-3.
Duran Ferree made five saves for San Diego, while Real Salt Lake had 15 shots compared to San Diego’s 9, with 9 shots on target for RSL and 5 for San Diego.
Rafael Cabral recorded three saves for Salt Lake.
The match began with Real Salt Lake scoring twice in quick succession. Luna intercepted a careless pass from Ferree in the fifth minute and slotted the ball into the net.
Just a minute later, Luna found Solans with a cross-field pass, allowing Solans to head the ball in from close range for a 2-0 lead.
San Diego responded in the 14th minute when Lewis Morgan set up Ingvartsen, who scored with a left-footed shot.
Real Salt Lake regained a two-goal lead in the 37th minute when Zavier Gozo assisted Solans, who scored with a header.
RSL extended their lead to 4-1 just before half-time when Solans assisted Guilavogui, who finished into the right corner.
In the second half, San Diego reduced their deficit in the 66th minute when a penalty was awarded after Dreyer fell during a tussle with Justen Glad. Dreyer converted the penalty.
Cabral made a crucial save against Dreyer’s shot in the 88th minute and later stopped a close-range effort from Amahl Pellegrino just before the end of stoppage time.