Real Salt Lake scored against the run of play with a brilliant through ball from Lineker Rodrigues, sending Saba Lobjanidze all alone into the Houston defensive half. The Georgian forward was too quick for any Dynamo defender to catch as he barreled toward goal. Lobjanidze used his experience to calmly chip the home team's goalkeeper and level the game at 1-1 in the 76th minute.
The goal marked back-to-back goals for the former Atlanta forward, who has become an important attacker for RSL with his creative and dynamic attacking ability. A first MLS assist for young RSL academy product, Rodrigues, who has shined since being called up to the first team.
"I thought Guske and Noel did a great job in the midfield, I thought JaunMa was excellent tonight. I thought we did a good job creating two or three opportunities from our high press." — Head coach Pablo Mastroeni on the positives from the game
With 13 players unavailable to Pablo Mastroeni, the RSL head coach awarded both Jason Shokalook and Colin Guske their first starts for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Shokalook joined Real Salt Lake earlier this week from Chicago Fire. The 23-year-old forward has already recorded two assists in 10 appearances this season.
The best chance of the first half came in the 34th minute, when Houston found a way in behind the RSL defense to create a one-on-one opportunity with Rafael Cabral . The veteran Brazilian goalkeeper made himself as big as possible to deny the Dynamo and keep the match scoreless.
Early in the second half, RSL won a dangerous free kick just outside the penalty area. USMNT forward Diego Luna fired the ball through the wall, forcing the Houston goalkeeper into action for the away team's first shot on goal.
The Dynamo found an opening through quick team play down the right side of the pitch. Houston's striker, Guilherme, fired a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area and into the net to give the home team the lead.
Despite RSL finding the equalizer, Houston fired back after strong team play around the edge of the opponent's penalty area opened up space on the right side. Mateusz Bogusz received the ball out of the air on the right side of the box before cutting inside and firing a left-footed shot into the top-left corner of the net, giving the Dynamo a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute. The game would end at 2-1 in favor of Houston as RSL struggled to find a second equalizer late into stoppage time.
Real Salt Lake returns home to face off against New York City FC at America First Field on Saturday Sept. 12 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. MDT.
Saba Lobjanidze (12) thanking Lineker (70) for the pass that created the goal. | RSL photography
Diego Luna (10) and JuanMa Sanabria (8) discussing the free kick. | RSL photography
Collin Guske (25) trying to find the goal for RSL. | RSL photography
