Real Salt Lake Steal Three Points Against LA Galaxy With Remarkable Anderson Julio Volley In Dying Minutes

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Anderson Julio hits a wonderful left-footed volley deep into stoppage time to gift Real Salt Lake all three points against the LA Galaxy. A goal that will live long in the memory of the Real Salt Lake faithful.

“It’s incredible, the timing couldn’t be better.,” Interim Manager Pablo Mastroeni said when asked to explain his emotion following the Julio goal. “In sports, you can always hope for a chance, and tonight we were on the right end of it.”

The win lifts Real Salt Lake to fifth in the Western Conference, and four points why of Portland who occupy fourth. The Galaxy dropped from fifth to the seventh position in the West.

Interim manager Pablo Mastroeni made one change following the loss against Portland. He opted to play Maikel Chang on the left in replace of Justin Meram.

😄😠😄😠😠😠
😠😠😠😠😠 pic.twitter.com/J3E04AHSFw

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 30, 2021

Real Salt Lake was looking for its first victory over the Galaxy this year, in the two previous meetings between the two clubs in 2021, they drew 2-2 on July 21st in Utah before the Galaxy got the better of them in California 1-0 on August 4.

First Half Jitters

Real Salt Lake began the game slowly. They were unable to generate any goal-scoring opportunities, whereas the Galaxy was playing a much better brand of soccer. The Galaxy was slowing down the game intentionally in an effort to not getting caught in a track meet with Real Salt Lake. They were having success passing the ball through the shape and press of Real Salt Lake and generating chances.

Chicharito had a number of opportunities to give the visitors the lead, but David Ochoa denied the Mexican international on a handful of occasions. The best opportunity for Chicharito came midway through the half when he received a ball at the top of the box that he wrapped his right foot around, it was bound for the back of the net. But Ochoa made a brilliant diving save to keep the game scoreless.

However, that all changed as the final seconds of the half ticked down as Rusnák whipped in a delightful ball from the right-wing that found the head of Damir Kreilach who gifted Real Salt Lake the lead.

Dami putting us on top 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1MOJkyX1fE

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 30, 2021

Second Half Concession

The second half began with more energy, as you would expect considering the timing of Kreilach’s goal. Pablo Ruiz had an opportunity to double the lead in the 55th minute but his left-footed shot from just inside the area was saved.

Then, minutes later, Chicharito found himself in a one-on-one opportunity but the right leg of Ochoa denied him a goal. His shot was bound for the bottom right-hand corner if it weren’t for the heroic save of Ochoa.

“It was a really cool night,” Ochoa said when asked how special it was to play such a big role while the club celebrated its first annual Hispanic Heritage night. “To have a good performance tonight especially against two big Mexican players was satisfying, hopefully, I can continue to have big performances.”

you're welcome

love,@davidochoagk pic.twitter.com/QDaWU2fj24

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 30, 2021

Fortunately, Real Salt Lake continued to play with aggression and in the 63rd minute, Aaron Herrera missed a golden opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet. His left-footed strike from just in front of the penalty spot flew over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

The Galaxy was not going to go down swinging. Chicharito found himself again in a one-on-one faceoff with Ochoa but looked to square the ball off to Samuel Grandsir but Justen Glad was able to recover and clear the ball for a goal kick.

The Galaxy capitalized on their opportunities when Chicharito found a pocket of space on the penalty spot, turned Toni Datkovic, and finished in the bottom right corner with his left foot.

EQUALIZER!@CH14_ pulls us level in SLC 😤 pic.twitter.com/CG16BpbRsr

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 30, 2021

Mastroeni immediately went to his bench and brought on Justin Meram, Andrew Brody, and Anderson Julio in replace of Maikel Chang, Aaron Herrera, and Rubio Rubin.

With his first touch of the game, Julio nearly made an immediate mark on the game when his right-footed shot was saved by Jonathan Bond.

In the 94th minute, Julio found himself on the counter, submerged between two Galaxy defenders. He flicked the ball up in the air onto his left foot, hit the ball first time on the volley, and found the bottom left-hand corner to steal all three points.

ANDERSON. JULIO. DAGGER. #RSL takes the lead in stoppage time! pic.twitter.com/e3mGrIhK1s

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 30, 2021

It was one of the best goals of the season and arguably one of the greatest goals in Real Salt Lake’s 17-year history.

Next Match

Real Salt Lake will travel to Austin for the first time in the club’s history.

Austin most recently lost 3-0 on the road against Colorado. Real Salt Lake and Austin met on August 14 in a game that ended 1-0 in favor of Real Salt Lake.

The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV app or on KSL Sports dot com.