Besler’s Late Goal Gives RSL 2-1 Win Over Iwaka FC In Preseason Action

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Real Salt Lake’s Nick Besler scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute to give the club a 2-1 win over Iwaki FC from Japan in preseason action.

RSL forward Sebastian Saucedo scored the first goal of the match in the 24th minute. They played a ball from the back to the feet of rookie Tate Schmitt, who passed it to Joao Plata, who played the ball behind Iwaki’s defense to Saucedo, finding the back of the net.

Goalfo Saucedo pic.twitter.com/qAgknAge3w

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) February 9, 2019

Real changed their lineup in the 60th minute and just 14 minutes later, Iwaki tied the game on a goal from Masahide Hiroka.

Besler scored the game-winner from Justin Portillo playing a free kick from the left side and Kalen Ryden put the ball in front of the box. Maikel Chang put on shot on target but the rebound flared to Besler, leaving an easy tap in shot on an open net for the lead and the win.

The Salt Lake side started Andrew Putna in goal, Tony Beltran, Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad and Danny Toia on the back line of defense.

Everton Luiz, Pablo Ruiz and Sebastian Saucedo started in the midfield, with Damir Kreilach, Joao Plata and Tate Schmitt getting the nod as attacking forwards.

Every RSL player but Putna was subbed out in the second half. Adam Henley, Kalen Ryden, Erik Hold, Andrew Brody, Justin Portillo, Nick Besler, Maikel Chang, Luis Arriaga, Julian Vazquez and Kyle Coffee came on as substitutes.

🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/HvzSb5Vo1v

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) February 9, 2019

Real will wrap up the Pacific Rim Cup on Sunday against V-Varen Nagasaki on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. The match will be streamed on YouTube.