LAFC vs Real Salt Lake Highlights
After a three-game losing slump, the Black and Gold were able to finish the LAFC vs Real Salt Lake match with a 2-0 victory. Ryan Hollingshead and Cristian Arango both scored a goal during the second half of the match in a shutout on Sunday night back at home at Banc of California Stadium.
“We’re happy to get three points again and that winning feeling back at LAFC,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo. “We went on a little three-week, soul-searching adventure and we came out, I hope, long term better for it. I truly believe that.”
The first half of the LAFC vs Real Salt Lake match was scoreless but LAFC were able to put some pressure on RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath. In the 36th minute, Chicho struck one to the far post but the play was called back due to offsides. On LAFC’s end, goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau finished the game with five saves and his ninth shutout of the 2022 MLS season.
Just under four minutes into the second half, Diego Palacios crossed and found Chicho right in front of the net, but Chicho’s header attempt was disrupted by MacMath. MacMath’s block wasn’t the most secure, and the ball eventually rolled toward Ryan Hollngshead who made a left-foot strike to the back of the net to bring the LAFC up one. Hollingshead’s goal was his fifth of the season and the 23rd of his 10-year MLS career.
LAFC found another opportunity in the 68th minute on a possession led by José Cifuentes who found Carlos Vela on top of the box and connected with Chicho who was open and running down the middle. Chicho took complete advantage of his hesi which juked MacMath tripping to the ground and scored the second and final goal of the game.
Steve Cherundolo now has 19 victories under his belt, which puts him in a tie for second place all-time in Major League Soccer history for victories by a first-year head coach. Cherundolo also has the most wins of any first-year head coach since 1998.
“Psychologically, when you get knocked down, it’s very important to get back up and to keep going down the same path. That’s what we’ve done,” said Cherundolo. “And to understand why you fell down and to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I think that’s what we’ve achieved in the last couple weeks. Does that mean we’ll never lose another game? No. But it solidifies our way of playing and the belief in the locker room that when we play our way, we’re a very difficult team to beat.”
We hope LAFC will keep their momentum going into their next Saturday match against FC Dallas on September 10.
