SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake midfielder Pablo Ruiz gave RSL a 2-0 lead after blasting a shot into the back of the net against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

In the 64th minute, RSL forward Justin Meram got the ball on the left side of the field leading up to the goal by Pablo Ruiz. Meram played the ball to Jefferson Savarino at the top of the 18-yard box, who flicked the ball to Ruiz. The RSL midfielder blasted the ball with his left foot to the far post past the SKC goalkeeper.

Sergio Cordova gave RSL a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 50th minute. It’s the second goal of the season for Ruiz and the 50th career assist for Meram.

Our midfield maestro 💫 pic.twitter.com/Fc3FqYP4fD

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 18, 2022

The stakes continue to rise and the pressure continues to mount on Real Salt Lake as they pursue their first victory since May 28.

RSL is trending in the wrong direction. Sporting Kansas City, on the other hand, is beginning to climb the Western Conference standings following a road victory against Montreal and a point on the road against Minnesota.

However, Sporting Kansas City still has a long way to climb. They currently sit in the last place in the West having managed to pick up just 20 points in 21 matches so far in 2022. In contrast, Real Salt Lake is in fourth place in the West on 30 points through 20 games.

Unfortunately, the fixture against Sporting Kansas City will mark the third game in a week for Real Salt Lake following a disapointing 2-2 draw at home against Colorado before a midweek loss on the road against Atlanta United.

Manager Pablo Mastroeni is short on players. Injuries to Bobby Wood and Damir Kreilach will keep two of the leaders sidelined against Sporting Kansas City while Jefferson Savarino, Justen Glad will enter the Sunday clash listed as questionable. Both players have been dealing with soft tissue muscle injuries.

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