LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Sporting Kansas City had no problem taking down Real Salt Lake to win 2-0 and move on to the Knockout Round of the MLS is Back Tournament at Disney World.
Wednesday morning was the place, under overcast skies that kept temperatures at bay, Sporting KC water no time showing that that they were in it to win it by scoring a goal in the first :51 seconds of the match. SKC took advantage of a RSL lapse when Johnny Russell jumped on their lax defense on clearing a corner kick and put it in the net for an immediate 1-0 lead, stunning the Royals.
In the 86’th minute, Gerso Fernandes checked into the game and immediately made an impact. He drove past his defender and was able to make a curling shot from the left wing for the insurance goal.
Real Salt Lake did create some attacks in the second half, but wasn’t able to get through and make an impact on the score. this is the second consecutive match that RSL didn’t score in the second half.
Salt Lake was minus talented midfielder Albert Rusnak, who was not available with a hip injury.
Like Salt Lake (1-1-3, 6 points), SKC moves on to the knockout round of this World Cup-style tournament, along with Minnesota United FC in Group D. This was the first defeat of the season for Salt Lake, which conceded just its second and third goals of the campaign — and first ones within this event.
