Jefferson Savarino Scores In 94th Minute To Pinch A Point Against San Jose

Jul 30, 2022, 10:10 PM | Updated: Aug 29, 2022, 1:44 pm

Jasper Löffelsend dribbles against San Jose on July 30 in the 2-2 draw. Photo courtesy: Laura Dearden of Real Salt Lake.

BY TOM HACKETT

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Jefferson Savarino equalized in the 94th minute to pinch a point at San Jose despite the Earthquakes dominating throughout the majority of the fixture.

“We struggled in the first half with our defensive formations, they were finding pockets and causing us a lot of grief,” Mastroeni said immediately following the final whistle. “If there is one thing about this group it would be they showed a fantastic mentality, terrific resilience, and were rewarded right at the death with the equalizer.”

Mastroeni started Nick Besler in the heart of the midfield alongside Jasper Löffelsend. The rest of the starting XI remained the same from a week ago when RSL lost at home to FC Dallas 1-0.

😠😠😠😠😠
😠😄😠😠😠😄 pic.twitter.com/cF5QfCvpUu

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 31, 2022

Both San Jose and Real Salt Lake entered the fixture in desperate need of a result having not played well over the previous two months.

“Guys I am tired, I don’t know about you but I am exhausted. It is always thought in this league to go on the road, San Jose is really good,” Justin Meram said. “We kicked ourselves in the foot and gifted them the two goals but we kept fighting, remained resilient, and found a way.”

It was one-way traffic throughout the opening minutes of the first half as San Jose dominated the possession.

Real Salt Lake Mistakes

In the 10th minute, Aaron Herrera mishit a clearance and the ball fell to the feet of Cristian Espinoza whose shot ricocheted off the left arm of Justen Glad. The referee allowed play to continue but two minutes later was redirected to the VAR monitor and promptly pointed to the spot. Espinoza beat MacMath sending him the wrong way to open the scoring.

Espinoza from the spot!

1-0 San Jose! pic.twitter.com/eA5ufc8RXE

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 31, 2022

Löffelsend Scores Debut Goal

Fortunately, the Real Salt Lake response was promising and just nine minutes after conceding scored the equalizer. Andrew Brody flew down the left wing and played Löffelsend in on goal who calmly chipped San Jose goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. It was the first goal of Löffelsend’s professional career.

THE BLOND BOMBSHELL LEVELS IT!!!! pic.twitter.com/7Nfwcs7VHY

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 31, 2022

San Jose continued to dominate the tempo and possession and was spending the majority of the game in their attacking half. The Earthquakes, for as much attacking possession as they had, were not testing MacMath as the Real Salt Lake defense continued to play well.

More Pain For Córdova

The second half began with a chance that out-of-form striker Sergio Córdova will be ruing for some time. Córdova was one on one with Marcinkowski and dribbled around him to his left before slicing a shot with the inside of his left foot only to be denied on the line by San Jose center-back Nathan. Córdova could not believe his misfortune.

OFF THE LINE! 😱 pic.twitter.com/moddBobmUJ

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 31, 2022

Another RSL Gift

Real Salt Lake gifted San Jose the eventual game-winner in the 61st when MacMath cleared the ball, under no pressure, straight to Espinoza who fed Jeremy Ebobisse in on goal. The shot nutmegged MacMath and trickled into the back of the net.

The King of Goals in San Jose.

Jebo is on another level in 2022! pic.twitter.com/hDdPZUb1wo

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 31, 2022

San Jose leads the league in goals conceded and Real Salt Lake finally found a breakthrough in the 94th minute when Jefferson Savarino beat Marcinkowski from 8 yards out despite the goalkeeper getting a big glove on the shot.