Pablo Ruiz Strikes First With Goal Of Year Candidate Against D.C. United

WASHINGTON – Just before halftime in the nation’s capital, Pablo Ruiz loaded up and found the back of the net from over 65 yards away.

The goal gave RSL a 1-0 lead and all of the momentum going into the break.

Pablo Ruiz scores from his own half. 😱 #RSL pic.twitter.com/uDft9GoRkD

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 18, 2023

Ruiz’s bomb came off an assist from Andrew Brody.

The goal was Ruiz’s fourth of the season.  The shot was nearly unsavable as it perfectly found the top corner.

D.C. goalkeeper Tyler Miller laid out but still couldn’t make the save.

41′ | OUR JAWS ARE ON THE FLOOOORRRRRRRR

0-1 | #DCvRSL pic.twitter.com/cma1iLqWck

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 18, 2023

Real Salt Lake Stays On East Coast For Matchup With D.C. United

Real Salt Lake will continue its east coast road trip with a match against D.C. United on Saturday.

RSL last played D.C. at home on September 10, 2022. The game ended as a scoreless draw.

On to The District pic.twitter.com/C5foMXjFNs

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 11, 2023

Real Salt Lake will attempt to carry its momentum and earn three points in the nation’s capital. In the last seven games, Real Salt Lake has posted four wins, 2 draws, and a loss.

D.C. United enters the matchup coming off of a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United.

RSL sits in the West’s 11-seed but has as many points as the 8-seeded Portland Timbers. D.C. also finds itself on the border of the East’s playoff picture. They hold the 8-seed with just one more point than the 10-seed.

“In the midst of bad results, I saw that the group was very unified and that’s what helped get the good results now” pic.twitter.com/24OVcu6cYz

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 16, 2023

D.C. United’s record at home is 3-2-3. Real Salt Lake is 3-3-2 on the road.

Although the club recently addressed the goal-scoring problems with the addition of CF Pachuca’s Chicho Arango, the Colombian forward won’t suit up until July 8.

RSL has scored 6 goals across its last three away games. They hope to continue that trend against D.C.

If ya didn’t know, now ya know. #DCvRSL | @EnglandLogistic pic.twitter.com/kFUupLMgda

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 16, 2023

RSL could move as high as the 7-seed with a win on Saturday.

Real Salt Lake will return home for a rematch against St. Lous City SC on Wednesday, June 21.

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 2023 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.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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