In his first start of the season, Pablo Ruiz scored his first goal since Real Salt Lake's 2-1 road victory over D.C. United on June 17, 2023. The home side capitalized on a prolonged spell of possession when forward Morgan Guilavogui calmly laid the ball back to Ruiz, who was waiting at the top of the penalty area. Ruiz unleashed a powerful, low-driven strike into the bottom right corner to level the match at 1-1.
"I'm so happy for Pablo Ruiz, he has been training a ton and waiting for his opportunity to present itself." RSL Head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "If there is any player that reflects how much the game can transform a player it is Pablo Ruiz and I couldn't be happier for him. The Psychological trauma of having two knee injuries is incredible and I think the Pablo that we saw today was the 2023 best midfielder in the league."
Tigres opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a well placed header across the six yard box that was cleanly finished into the back of the net. RSL equalized in the 16th minute courtesy of Ruiz, and were inches away from adding a second goal as Guilavogui unleashed a powerful volley that flashed just past the far post.
In the second half, Real Salt Lake had a strong penalty appeal when Saba Lobzhanidze went down after coming together with a Tigres defender inside the box. After a VAR review, the officials upheld the on-field decision of no penalty, and play resumed. Shortly afterward, Sergi Solans came close to breaking the deadlock with a well-struck effort that forced the Mexican team's goalkeeper into a diving save.
Both sides pushed hard for the winning goal in a fiercely contested second half. Outstanding saves from both goalkeepers kept the deadlock intact, sending the match to a penalty shootout. In the subsequent penalty shootout, all five initial penalty takers calmly dispatched their chance at the spot, forcing the match into sudden death. Real Salt Lake young forward Zach Booth pulled his penalty shot wide off the post and out, a minute later, Tigres scored the winning penalty.
Real Salt Lake will play the remaining two games of the League Cup home against Atlante F.C. on Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. MDT.
Morgan Guilavogui (9) distributing the ball back toward Ruiz for the RSL goal. | RSL
Pablo Ruiz (7) celebration after his goal. | RSL
Pablo Ruiz (7) switching the play to find the open man across the pitch. | RSL
Saba Lobjanidze (12) looking to pry the game open with a close shot early on. | RSL
