Savarino’s First Goal Of The Season Give RSL Two Goal Lead

Jun 18, 2022, 9:28 PM

(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – In the 80th minute with Real Salt Lake clinging to a one goal lead, Jefferson Savarino chased down a ball and found the back of the net to give RSL a 2-0 lead.

Real Salt Lake hosted the San Jose Earthquakes at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, June 18 following an international break.

Savarino got behind the defense and chased down the ball just outside of the six-yard box. Two touches later, the ball was clanging off of the left goal post and into back of the net.

This guy is so good pic.twitter.com/wrgygq98Ut

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 19, 2022

Making his second appearance and first start after signing with RSL on May 4, Savarino’s goal came as Anderson Julio was waiting to enter the match for him. Though just the first goal of the season for Savarino, it is the 22nd goal of his RSL career that began back in 2017.

RSL is trying to playing out four minutes of extra time as they hold to the 2-0 advantage.

Getting Healthy

Manager Pablo Mastroeni admitted to reporters midweek that his players have returned with an increase in energy and determination following the loss on the road against Vancouver and he is excited to see how his team responds against a very talented San Jose outfit.

“Everybody has been looking really bright. The energy, the quality in training has been tremendous and it is a really great environment to be in and to be a part of,” Mastroeni said in his weekly press conference.

😠😠😠😠😠
😠😃😠😃😠😠 pic.twitter.com/8melBZvMmL

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 19, 2022

A New & Different San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes have endured a lot of change over the recent weeks as Matías Almeyda stepped down from his managerial post on April 18th and was replaced by Alex Covelo on an interim basis.

The most recent San Jose outing may suggest that Covelo is beginning to have an impact on his new team. San Jose went on the road and drew 0-0 with Nashville, one of the most dangerous home teams in the league.

Jeremy Ebobisse, who was traded from Portland in August of 2021, is tied atop the league leaders with goals scored while dangerous Argentine winger Cristian Espinoza is tied atop the league leaders in assists with seven.