Barrage Of Goals Help Real Salt Lake Take Lead Over Charlotte FC

Apr 8, 2023, 9:05 PM | Updated: 9:12 pm

Former KSL Sports writer

SANDY – Three quick goals in the second half helped Real Salt Lake overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit to take the lead over the visiting Charlotte FC.

RSL hosted Charlotte at America First Field on Saturday, April 8.

After trailing by a goal to open the second 45 minutes of action, Pablo Ruiz found an equalizer for Real Salt Lake in the 56th minute.

Pablo Ruiz with the equalizer in the 56th minute. 💥#RSLonKSL #RSL #RSLvCLT @rslshow pic.twitter.com/xFmThbKeBO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 9, 2023

Three minutes later, Anderson Julio gave Real Salt Lake its first lead in weeks.

Anderson Julio breathes life back into @realsaltlake we're 2-1!!! @#RSL pic.twitter.com/XVkBoB52hA

— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) April 9, 2023

Another Real Salt Lake strike came off the foot of Jefferson Savarino and gave the home team a 3-1 advantage in the 62nd minute.

Savarino makes it 3-1!!! What is happening! Let's goooo!!!! #RSL @realsaltlake | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/Y5cktLWCLX

— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) April 9, 2023

The shots resulted in each’s of the players’ first goal of the 2023 season.

Entering the match, Ruiz had four shots and one shot on target in two games played. In five matches, Julio had recorded six shots, including four on goal. Savarino came into the match against Charlotte with one assist, 13 shots, and two shots on target in four games played this season.

Real Salt Lake’s match against Charlotte FC is broadcast on Apple TV+ via MLS Season Pass and KSL Sports Zone.

LISTEN LIVE: @realsaltlake hosts @CharlotteFC on the @KSLSportsZone (97.5 FM), @kslnewsradio (1160 AM), the @kslsports app and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.https://t.co/U0x5nno67D pic.twitter.com/ViPZ50hkkL

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 9, 2023

Real Salt Lake v. Charlotte FC

Despite recent poor results, Real Salt Lake remains in a state of tranquility, according to manager Pablo Mastroeni.

That start to the 2023 MLS Season for Real Salt Lake has been far from ideal. The club, which is coming off yet another postseason appearance in 2022, has only managed to pick up three points throughout its opening five games. Furthermore, the club has endured consecutive 4-0 losses, a feat rarely experienced by those wearing and representing the Real Salt Lake brand.

First time facing those guys from the Carolinas. pic.twitter.com/otHw9cnAkI

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 9, 2023

RSL Remains Poised

Despite recent struggles, manager Pablo Mastroeni confirmed on Thursday that the playing group remains eager to amend the slow start.

While the fanbase voices concern over the playing style, shape, and lack of identity, Mastroeni refuses to give in to the narrative.

His focus remains solely on the psychology of his players.

My conversation with Pablo Mastroeni today. A lot of talking points from this conversation, I hope all #RSL junkies enjoy.

A thread.
1/5 pic.twitter.com/EIuSNeWmM2

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) April 6, 2023

“The human,” Mastroeni promptly said when asked what his focus has been on as it relates to the recent playing struggles of his team. “Unless the human is functioning at a high level, nothing else matters. It is like somebody that is in a really bad place in life and you are talking about his or her job, you’re like, I just want to feel good,” he added.

First time encounter today ⚔️ #ForTheCrown | #CLTvRSL pic.twitter.com/NzYaxbfjIa

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) April 8, 2023

Yes, Real Salt Lake is struggling in all four basic principles of soccer. They are struggling in possession, struggling without the football, and struggling in both offensive and defensive transition.

Mastroeni admitted that he and his players work on all four principles throughout the week in training, but his biggest focus remains on the person under the Real Salt Lake jumper.

He is doing everything he can to instill as much confidence as he can into a dying locker room. He, like everyone at the club, is frustrated with how the season has started. But he, like everyone at the club, also understands that the season has only just begun and that time is on their side.

#RSLvCLT 📍 #RSLonKSL #RSL pic.twitter.com/IrvDr9HhVg

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 9, 2023

A Different Week For Real Salt Lake

Fortunately, Real Salt Lake hosts another struggling side this weekend at America First Field. Charlotte FC currently sits just one place above the bottom of the Eastern Conference on five points having managed one win, two draws, and three losses throughout its opening six games of the season.

The upcoming fixture presents a wonderful opportunity for Real Salt Lake to pick up its first points since the season opener on February 25th. In order for Real Salt Lake to pick up all three points, they must find a way to score goals. The club is goalless over its previous two fixtures and has only managed to score three goals thus far.

As the playing group grows in health, Mastroeni is likely to change the shape of the side ahead of the fixture against Charlotte. A healthy Marcelo Silva could sway Mastroeni into playing three across the back with Brayan Vera, Silva, and Justen Glad.

A change in shape could potentially trigger a change in attitude and confidence. That is the hope, at least, for Mastroeni and the playing group.

Follow @kyleireland