Andres Gomez Gives RSL First-Half Lead Against Philadelphia Union

PHILADELPHIA – RSL midfielder Andres Gomez showed off his power in the 34th minute with an excellent goal to give Real Salt Lake a 1-0 lead over Philadelphia.

The score gave Gomez his fourth goal of the season.

What a strike! @realsaltlake find their opening goal.

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/cqyogo3Cas pic.twitter.com/atl98aEBFq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2024

Chicho Arango ran the break and found Gomez on his right.

As the defender approached, Gomez loaded up and sent a strike toward the top center of goal.

Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake got his hands on the shot but the ball had so much power behind it that it went straight in the air and found its way across the line.

34′ | Started us off last week, doin’ it again 😎#PHIvRSL | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/9EjMmi1nci

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 28, 2024

The opportunity came after a lucky break on the other end.

In the 33rd minute, Jack McGlynn sent a missile toward goal from outside the box but the shot hit his teammate in the box. We will never know for sure but the shot off the foot of McGlynn looked to be headed toward the top shelf.

Regardless, RSL took advantage and went up 1-0 in Subaru Park.

RSL Ends Two-Game Road Trip In Philadelphia

Real Salt Lake started the month of April with back-to-back draws against Minnesota and Columbus.

After the big 4-0 win over Chicago last weekend, Real moved up to eighth in the MLS power rankings.

.@InterMiamiCF soar to No. 2, while @MNUFC & @LAFC are back in the top 10. 👏

Power Rankings pres. by @RBCwealth: https://t.co/YBsE6gQOlt pic.twitter.com/gwcVpJQKgC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2024

RSL currently holds the 3-seed in the West with a record of 4-2-3.

Philadelphia sits in the East’s six-spot at 3-0-4. They are the only undefeated team left in Major League Soccer.

The Union have played three home games so far this season. They have one win and two draws in Subaru Park.

Real Salt Lake will look to hand the Union their first loss of the 2024 season on Saturday.

What we’re up against in Philly#PHIvRSL | @EnglandLogistic pic.twitter.com/VwDjk9mkef

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 26, 2024

RSL forward Chicho Arango has been on a tear so far this season.

With eight goals and six assists in nine games played, Arango has emerged as an early-season MVP candidate.

He leads the MLS in goals ahead of Lionel Messi with seven and four other players with six.

A human highlight reel https://t.co/qn7gFRR2wg

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 22, 2024

A win on Saturday could move RSL to as high as second in the West standings.

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

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.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports. 

Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Follow @CHoltSports