Matt Crooks Connects, Scores Goal In Opening Minute Of RSL-Atlanta Match
Jul 6, 2024, 7:55 PM | Updated: 7:57 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake opened its match against Atlanta United FC on fire as Matt Crooks buried a shot for a goal during the first minute of action.
RSL hosted Atlanta at America First Field in Sandy, Utah on Saturday, July 6.
During the opening minute of play, RSL midfielder Diego Luna crossed the ball from the near side of the pitch into the 18-yard box. Crooks collected the pass and sent a shot sailing past Brad Guzan.
Crooks’ goal was a shot down the center and gave the home side an early 1-0 lead.
DIDNT EVEN TAKE 60 SECONDS 🤯#RSLvATL #RSL #MLS @rslshow
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 7, 2024
It was the third-fastest goal in club history.
The midfielder entered the match having scored only one goal in MLS action this season.
Real Salt Lake’s match against Atlanta is broadcast via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
LISTEN LIVE: @realsaltlake is back at home to face Atlanta United FC on the @KSLSportsZone, @kslsports app, and: https://t.co/zGGCBH15dZ pic.twitter.com/en9OvDxFIt
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 7, 2024
Real Salt Lake this season
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Real Salt Lake opened its 2024 schedule with a 2-0 loss to Inter Miami CF on February 21. The club followed up the season-opening loss by picking up a point in a 1-1 draw with St. Louis only three days later.
Following the draw with St. Louis, Real Salt Lake beat LAFC at home, 3-0. After defeating Los Angeles, RSL fell at home to the Colorado Rapids, 2-1. Real Salt Lake has been unbeaten in MLS play since the home loss to Colorado.
Real Salt Lake got back on track with a 2-1 win over Vancouver on March 23 and a 3-1 victory over St. Louis on March 30.
The team’s two-game winning streak was snapped with a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC on April 6 at Allianz Field. On April 13, RSL played the Columbus Crew to a scoreless draw before crushing the Chicago Fire, 4-0, a week later. In the club’s next match, RSL picked up a 2-1 win over Philadelphia.
After beating Chicago, RSL picked up consecutive wins over the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City.
Following the back-to-back victories, Real Salt Lake fell to New Mexico United of the USL Championship in the U.S. Open Cup. Real Salt Lake rebounded in MLS play by earning a point after drawing with the LA Galaxy on May 11.
Then RSL picked up wins over Seattle and Colorado before consecutive draws with Seattle, Austin FC, and CF Montréal.
After a scoreless draw with Montréal, RSL defeated Sporting KC before suffering its first loss in months in a 1-0 match against the LA Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake welcomed Atlanta three days after defeating Houston Dynamo FC, 3-2.
Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
