TUCSON, Ariz. — A lovely first-half goal from defender Chris Wingert was enough to earn Real Salt Lake third place in the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup with a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Kino Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Just before the half-hour mark, Wingert collected the ball just outside the box on the left side, cut to the center, and laced a right-footed shot into the far side-netting, leaving New York 'keeper Jeremy Vuolo helpless.
Both sides played near first-choice lineups, with the Red Bulls including Thierry Henry, Kenny Cooper, and Rafa Márquez in the action. For RSL, Kyle Beckerman played, as did goalkeeper Nick Rimando, fresh off his return from US national team duty in Italy. Javier Morales and Álvaro Saborío both made their preseason debuts, entering the match at the hour mark.
RSL center back Chris Schuler turned in a man-of-the-match performance, further staking his claim to a starting spot in the back line, particularly in light of the lingering injury issues for Nat Borchers.
Real Salt Lake finish the Desert Diamond Cup with a 2-2-0 record. The Red Bulls, who finish last, end up with a 1-2-1 record.
Scoring Summary:
RSL: Chris Wingert 1 (Ned Grabavoy 1) 28’
Disciplinary Summary:
RSL: Terukazu Tanaka (caution) 76’
NY: Rafa Marquez (caution) 77’
NY: Roy Miller (caution) 78’
New York Red Bulls – Jeremy Vuolo (GK), Jan Gunnar Solli (Connor Lade 43’), Markus Holgersson, Stephen Keel (Tyler Ruthven* 55’), Roy Miller, Dane Richards (Mehdi Ballouchy 90’), Teemu Tainio, Dax McCarty (Rafa Marquez 46’), Joel Lindpere, Kenny Cooper (Juan Agudelo 46’), Thierry Henry
Substitutes Not Used: Philip Tuttle, Jonathan Borrajo, Jhonny Arteaga, Brandon Barklage
Real Salt Lake – Nick Rimando (GK), Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave (Leone Cruz 80’), Chris Schuler, Chris Wingert (Terukazu Tanaka 56’), Ned Grabavoy, Sebastian Velasquez (Javier Morales 60’), Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil (Jonny Steele 60’), Paulo Jr., Emiliano Bonfigli (Alvaro Saborio 60’)
Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Reynish, Lalo Fernandez, Diogo de Almeida, Yordany Alvarez, Nico Muniz, Enzo Martinez, Cody Arnoux
Referee: Jasen Anno
Referee’s Assistants: Chris Strickland, Mike Kampmeinert
4th Referee: Kevin Stott
* - Guest Player
