SANDY, Utah—Real Salt Lake showed some resilience on Saturday, as they responded to going down by scoring goals late in each half en route to picking up a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders.
RSL overcame a 28th-minute goal from Osvaldo Alonso in their home opener at Rio Tinto Stadium, equalizing just before halftime through Sunny Obayan and finding a late winner through center back Jamison Olave. It was not the prettiest of performances from Real Salt Lake, but it was a win.
“We didn't win a beauty contest at all,” said RSL head coach Jeff Cassar. “We did get three points, which is the most important thing. I liked the battle. I liked the commitment.”
RSL’s first goal in the 43rd minute woke up the crowd. A Joao Plata corner kick found its target at the top of the six-yard box, as Sunny headed the ball into the upper corner with power. The goal was Obayan’s first in MLS.
The game-winner came in the 86th minute thanks in part to effort and IQ from Juan Manuel Martinez, who tracked down a Plata pass near the end line and popped it up toward the far post. The ball came down far enough away from the Sounders goal to allow Olave to jump over Seattle goalkeeper Tyler Miller and nod an effort home.
The Sounders wanted a foul called, but it never came and they had to watch Real Salt Lake celebrate with the home crowd.
“"It looked pretty clean,” Cassar said. “I only saw it on the jumbotron and it was the small one not the huge one. He did a great job of timing it and getting to the ball."
RSL extended their unbeaten streak in MLS home openers: the club is now 5-0-7 in 12 seasons.
