Real Salt Lake Faceplants In U.S. Open Cup Round Of 32 Loss
May 8, 2024, 9:08 PM
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake dropped out of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 4-2 loss against lower-division New Mexico United.
RSL traveled to Albuquerque, NM, on Wednesday, May 8, for a Round of 32 matchup against New Mexico United.
RELATED: Chicho Arango Lifts RSL To Victory Over Sporting Kansas City
Final pic.twitter.com/YZSfFUxG4T
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 9, 2024
First Half
The home club missed its first scoring chance when Sergio Rivas’ right-footed attempt sailed over the goal in the 13th minute. Minutes later, Zico Bailey beat Gavin Beavers twice in less than three minutes to give New Mexico a 2-0 lead.
Zavier Gozo blasted a ball that Alexandros Tabakis rejected on the first RSL scoring chance in the 25th minute.
I’m sorry what. I thought I was watching a replay of the first goal.
Its 2-0 New Mexico #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) May 9, 2024
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In the 35th minute, Fidel Barajas took a header pass from Zavier Gozo and broke free into the box. Barajas beat Alexandros Tabakis to make it a 2-1 game.
RELATED: Fidel Barajas Scores First Real Salt Lake Goal In U.S. Open Cup
New Mexico added a third goal in the 49th minute from Nicky Hernandez to take a 3-1 advantage into halftime.
It’s been a rough going for RSL in this first half
RSL trails 3-1 #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) May 9, 2024
Second Half
Anderson Julio checked into the game to start the second half and quickly found Diego Luna for a shot from distance that beat Tabakis for RSL’s second goal.
RELATED: Diego Luna Shakes Free For Second Half Real Salt Lake Goal
🇺🇸 Great goal from Diego Luna (20) to give RSL a lifeline, his 2nd of the season in all comps. It hasn’t been a great game for RSL tonight against New Mexico United but their youth is showing out 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hBXMNEOdIV
— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) May 9, 2024
Later in the match, Tabakis made a nice save on a shot with pace from Bertin Jacquesson.
RELATED: Chicho Arango Gives RSL Lead Against Sporting KC
New Mexico United picked up a yellow card with a hard foul in the 74th minute, setting up an RSL scoring chance. The free kick was deflected away harmlessly as Real Salt Lake searched for the equalizer.
An 85th-minute NMU goal opened the advantage to 4-2. A blazing strike pinged off the right post to the foot of Jacob Reyes. Reyes beat Beavers with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner.
New Mexico re-establishes their two-goal advantage in the 85th minute. Strike off the crossbar & they tap home the rebound to make it 4-2. #DaleReal #RSL
— Jake Hatch (Yawk) Utah Hockey Club Aficionado (@JacobCHatch) May 9, 2024
Real Salt Lake came up empty down the stretch, ultimately falling 4-2.
Follow Real Salt Lake With KSL Sports
Real Salt Lake resumes the MLS regular season when it travels to Carson, CA, for a matchup with the LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 11. The match kicks off at 8:30 p.m. MT at Dignity Health Sports Park. RSL is 20-24-14 all-time against the Galaxy. The teams went 1-1-1 against each other in 2023.
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All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2024 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.
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