Real Salt Lake’s massive 6-2 victory over LA Galaxy has us all abuzz — and with good reason. It was a dominant performance, a six-point swing, and a real waypoint in our quest for the playoffs. Here are six winners and two losers from RSL’s huge win. Winner: The golden boot race The last time Real Salt Lake had a player with double-digit goals? 2014, when Joao Plata scored 13. But the last time they had two players in double digits? That’s 2011, when Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola had 11 and 10, respectively. It’s looking likely that Damir Kreilach and Albert Rusnak will each notch more, and that’s really something. This is a tandem that can do amazing things, and if you’d told me that would be the case at the start of the season, I would have been even more excited. Winner: Damir Kreilach and his first RSL hat trick I might be wrong about this, so it’s not in the heading here, but I actually think that Damir Kreilach got his first-ever hat trick. That, to me, is a real sign that we’ve got the right player. He’s a spectacular player, and even if he’s not a full-time forward, he’s done so well at filling specific parts of that role that I just have to take my hat off to him — but also to Mike Petke. Winner: Mike Petke See, I had my doubts about Kreilach as a forward, even if I know that he can get on the end of some good shots from the midfield. His late runs are just really good, and his finishing is surprisingly excellent. But a forward? I didn’t picture him being the sort of player that really unifies the attack like that, but he is. That’s some excellent maneuvering. Loser: RSL’s early defending After less than a minute of play, Real Salt Lake was down a goal. That’s not exactly great stuff from our team; when Jonathan dos Santos scored, I thought it reflected pretty poorly on our defensive line. They recovered well, but for the first 15 minutes, I was worried. Winner: Sunny and Kyle Beckerman as a tandem Hey, so, we are going to ignore Sunny and Kyle Beckerman as a midfield tandem a little bit as we talk about this game, and that’s a shame. It’s also sort of inevitable, given the magnitude of victory and just how good our attack looked. But I’d still like to take a minute and recognize that they were dominant in a match where we needed it, with the Galaxy struggling to really build anything of note. Sure, that’s on them, too, but Beckerman looked renewed, and Sunny looked like the heir apparent to Beckerman’s throne. We’re in a good place right now. Winner: Aaron Herrera Every time I see him play, I’m more impressed. Aaron Herrera, spelling at left back but naturally right footed, has been a tremendous asset in the team’s good run of form. At one point, his defensive sprint saved a likely goal, and those are the things we sometimes forget about after a huge win. But with the match hanging in the balance, he put in the effort. Also, I forgot just how fast he is. He’s very fast. Winner: RSL fans Is this like Time naming “you” the person of the year in 2006? Maybe. This was the most excited, fun crowd I’ve seen at Rio Tinto in a long time. We can all get a little angst-ridden there, and having a truly fun match without much controversy was a perfect way to avoid that. It really was cathartic. This is also the first time I’ve seen the wave at a soccer game and thought it was fantastic: Up 6-2, everyone was just having the time of their lives. Loser: The duck, and also Zlatan Ibrahimovic I’m sorry, duck. You were fun, and I enjoyed you, but you really should have scored a goal. Oh, also, Zlatan didn’t score, and he bled all over his shirt. I still don’t know what happened there. On that note, it was always going to be hard for us to collectively move past the duck as a talking point, but a 6-2 win is sure one way to do it. It truly was a Shawshank Redemption.<doc-sep>The playoff race heats up as Real Salt Lake looks to win their third straight after their massive 6-0 rout in Colorado last week. This week, they return home to take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy in a game with huge playoff implications. LA and RSL have only met once this season, and it ended in a disappointing 3-0 win for the Galaxy, thanks to a big brace from Zlatan himself, followed up with a third goal from striker Ola Kamara. Real Salt Lake Record: 12-10-5 (41 points) Table: 4th place (west), 7th place (overall) Points per game: 1.52 (T-9th in MLS) Most goals: Joao Plata (8), Albert Rusnak (8) Most assists: Jefferson Savarino (8) Clean sheets: 7 Form: WDLWW What the road wins? ! We’ve spent all season long talking about Real Salt Lake’s terrible road form, mustering only one win all year against a crippled Seattle — up until a couple weeks ago, of course. RSL has not only won two straight now, but two straight on the road, which is absolutely huge for this team right now. With the 2-1 win in Houston thanks to Albert Rusnak’s stoppage time goals, followed by the 6-0 beatdown of rivals Colorado Rapids on their home turf, RSL is officially on a scoring tear, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Rusnak keeps scoring, Damir Kreilach keeps playing his best soccer of the year, Jefferson Savarino keeps racking up assists, and the defense continues to do its job. Defensive improvements Nick Besler has now started and played the full 90 in the last four matches straight while Marcelo Silva has been out with injury. Not to say that Silva isn’t great, but Besler has done a phenomenal job slotting in at center back next to Justen Glad. In those four games, RSL has only allowed four goals, while they allowed six goals in the previous games prior to that. We’re officially in the playoff push Who would have thought that RSL would be in this situation heading into the last two months of the season? Currently sitting in fourth place, RSL has the opportunity to jump to third place after this weekend, with a win over the Galaxy plus an LAFC loss or draw in Toronto. On top of that, RSL is only five points behind first-place FC Dallas, which means if things go well, they have a real chance at finishing first or second and skipping that play-in wildcard round altogether. I know, it’s crazy to think, just weeks ago we were all biting our nails wondering if RSL would even qualify for the playoffs at all. And sure, there’s still a chance that they could drop below the red line before the season’s done, but with four of their last seven games at home — where they’ve only lost once this season — it’s hard to imagine that happening, especially if they’re going to be able to start getting more results on the road. LA Galaxy Record: 10-9-8 (38 points) Table: 7th place (west), 13th place (overall) Points per game: 1.52 (T-9th in MLS) Most goals: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (16) Most assists: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (7) Clean sheets: 6 Form: LDLDD LA is Zlatan There, I said it. If not for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Galaxy would not be where they are right now this season. Even then, they’re still just barely outside of the playoff picture heading into this weekend. Zlatan has a staggering 16 goals and 7 assists in 20 appearances this season, leading the team in both stats. That’s almost one goal per game (0.8 goals per game), or about one goal every 94 minutes. It definitely goes to show that he’s got plenty of gas left in the tank, but that one megastar alone can’t save a team’s season. Ola Kamara is next in line as far as goals scored, but with only nine under his belt, followed by midfielder Romain Alessandrini with eight. Skid time Regardless of Zlatan’s impressive stats, LA is hurting in a big way right now. They’re currently winless in their last five, which includes a 2-1 loss to Colorado and a 5-0 loss to Seattle. Not surprisingly, Zlatan didn’t play in either of those losses. They’ve also been missing some of their big name players due to injury, including Romain Alessandrini and both Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos. The dos Santos brothers look to still be out for this weekend’s matchup, but Alessandrini could get back on the field as he’s been listed as questionable and has done some training this week. Thirsty for points LA will undoubtedly come out guns blazing, as they’re in desperate need of points if they want to jump back into the playoff race. With the way RSL has been playing lately, and especially with only one team able to beat them at home this season, it’ll be no easy feat for LA and Zlatan. Absences Real Salt Lake OUT: Tony Beltran (knee), Jordan Allen (knee), Alex Horwath (achilles surgery), David Horst (torn achilles; out for season), Luke Mulholland (back), Ricky Lopez-Espin (knee), Connor Sparrow (knee) QUESTIONABLE: Pablo Ruiz (knee), Marcelo Silva (ankle) Los Angeles Galaxy OUT: Giovani dos Santos (leg), Jonathan dos Santos (groin), Michael Ciani (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE: Romain Alessandrini (knee) Expected lineups RSL: Rimando; Lennon, Glad, Besler, Herrera; Beckerman, Sunny; Savarino, Rusnak, Plata; Kreilach LAG: Bingham; Feltscher, Skjelvik, Romney; Pontius, Kitchen, Carrasco, Cole; Lletget; Ibrahimovic, Kamara Match info When: Saturday, September 1, 8:00PM MT Where: Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, UT Weather: 77 degrees, clear Broadcast: KMYU, KSL TV app (streaming), ESPN+ (streaming), ESPN700 (radio) Referee: Drew Fischer<doc-sep>Damir Kreilach scored a hat trick, Albert Rusnak added two goals and Real Salt Lake beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 6-2 on Saturday night for their third straight victory. Brooks Lennon sent in a long ball which Kreilach chest trapped, flicked up to himself to avoid the onrushing goalkeeper and headed home to give RSL (13-10-5) the lead for good at 2-1. Jefferson Savarino scored with a deflection off Michael Ciani in the 48th minute and Kreilach slotted home Albert Rusnak’s cross in the 61st minute to make it 4-1. Romain Alessandrini pulled the Galaxy back to 4-2 two minutes later. Rusnak smashed home a volley in the 68th minute and Kreilach punched it home from close range in the 71st — both finishing Savarino’s crosses. Advertisement Rusnak tied it at 1 for RSL in the 14th minute with one touch to settle Joao Plata’s forward pass, an inside spin and a one-hopper from the top of the penalty arc. Jonathan dos Santos volleyed home Ashley Cole’s cross to open the scoring for the Galaxy (10-10-8) less than a minute into the match. The match was stopped in the first half when a duck ran onto the field .<doc-sep>A duck made its way onto the field on Saturday night in the middle of Real Salt Lake’s game against the LA Galaxy. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Real Salt Lake had a surprise visitor make its way into their match against the LA Galaxy Saturday night — though it wasn’t what anyone inside Rio Tinto Stadium could have expected. Midway through the first half, a duck flew into the stadium and made its way onto the pitch in the middle of a Salt Lake corner kick. Our good luck duck 😂 pic.twitter.com/O1eJCCZHAw — Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) September 2, 2018 The duck didn’t want to leave either. It remained completely unfazed by the game going on all around it, and couldn’t even be scared off the field by multiple security guards. there is literally a duck on the field. wtf #RSLvLA pic.twitter.com/0ceQSNVE6W — alyssa sorenson (@lyssorenson) September 2, 2018 While it was a little disruptive, the duck quickly garnered quite the following on social media. We hear he's dangerous on the counteraquack. #RSLvLA https://t.co/ZCKbaAVUB3 — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 2, 2018 A little duck hanging around on the Galaxy’s side of the field and the TV camera and commentators are much more interested in the duck than the match lol#mls — Shohei (@guymonguymon) September 2, 2018 If @MLS doesn't get an @Aflac sponsorship out of this duck on the field, I'm gonna be really disappointed. #RSLvLA — Brooke Tunstall (@YesThatBrooke) September 2, 2018 Duck on the field. The true winner tonight pic.twitter.com/A2I2kbHTnB — Spenno (@Spenno_77) September 2, 2018 This duck on the field at RSL really… (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■) QUACKS ME UP. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHHHH pic.twitter.com/WHzRNmkSsc — Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) September 2, 2018 Ibra is out here trying to score his 500th goal when a duck sprints on to the field. MLS is something special! pic.twitter.com/Vm1AbP1Gxm — 🇸🇪 (@SwedeStats) September 2, 2018 Finally, security was able to run the duck off the pitch so the game could continue uninterrupted. Story continues Watch out Leo the Lion, @RealSaltLake may have a new mascot! A duck went running full speed onto the field and tried its best to get in the match. It was having a good game, too, until the "goalie" blocked it on the side. #RSL VIDEO: Tori Dillon pic.twitter.com/8R1RvBQgZm — KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) September 2, 2018 When it’s all said and done, though, that duck may be the biggest star from Saturday’s game. More from Yahoo Sports: • ‘No f—ing way’: Raiders players react to Mack trade • Yankees manager has epic meltdown • Maryland pays tribute to McNair in opening play • Terez Paylor: Mack trade comes with heavy risk<doc-sep>
Real Salt Lake steamrolled the LA Galaxy tonight, putting up six goals for the second game in a row as they blew past Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy 6-2, while Damir Kreilach notched the team’s first hat trick of the season. It didn’t start well for RSL when LA opened the scoring in the very first minute, thanks to a goal from Jonathan dos Santos. A ball found him wide open on the far post and he easily slotted it in in the top right corner, despite Rimando getting a hand to it. RSL had an answer in the 14th minute when Plata sent a ball into Rusnak on a counter attack. Rusnak had a quick back heel to break free from his defender and took a quick shot that went low and as far right as possible while still staying inside the post, swerving just past David Bingham’s outstretched hand putting the game level at 1-1. In the very last play of the half, RSL grabbed another courtesy of Kreilach, who essentially assisted to himself. The ball came into him inside the 18, and he chested it down and tried to kick it in the net. It popped up a little, enough to set him up enough for a free and clear header, which he did to put the home side up 2-1 right before the halftime whistle. Despite some “fowl” play — get it? There was a duck on the field. Zing! — RSL absolutely dominated the first half, outshooting LA 12-2 overall (5-2 on frame) while controlling 66% of possession. A huge testament to how this team can bounce back after conceding an early goal, which is a breath of fresh air this late in the season. It didn’t take long in the second half to continue the scoring, as Savarino took a shot from the right side of the goal. LA defender Michael Ciani got to it, but unfortunately for him, he popped it up and accidentally ended up chipping his own keeper, putting it into the back of his own net and extending RSL’s lead to 3-1. Thanks, Ciani! In the 61st minute, RSL struck again thanks to none other than Damir Kreilach, who benefitted from Rusnak’s persistence. Savarino sent a ball into Rusnak on the far left post, who ripped a shot that Bingham saved. Rusnak collected the rebound and quickly slid the ball to a streaking Kreilach for an easy tap-in, putting the scoreline at an impressive 4-1. Just one minute later, LA found an answer thanks to Romain Alessandrini. Streaking toward goal on the right side, he let a shot rip that unfortunately took a deflection off Kyle Beckerman and found its way into the back of the net, bringing the score to 4-2. RSL pulled yet another one back in the 68th off a Rusnak stunner, as Savarino sent a ball into him at the top of the box and Rusnak was able to one-time it with his left foot on the volley, flying in past Bingham to put the home side up 5-2. Just two minutes later, Kreilach completed a hat trick thanks to another assist from none other than Jefferson Savarino, putting RSL up a staggering 6-2 showing no signs of stopping. Ibrahimovic was rendered virtually useless on the field as Nick Besler seemed to have his number all night. RSL’s potent attack sliced up LA’s defense, and it seems as though they’ve hit their stride at the perfect time, heading into the playoff stretch. RSL has now outscored their opponents 14-3 over the last three matches. They stay in fourth place due to LAFC’s 4-2 win over Toronto earlier, but sitting at 44 points they’re in a fantastic spot ahead of their last six games of the season.