By Tim Peterson
(Los Angeles)- Carlos Vela’s goal in the 78th minute lifted LAFC to a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake Saturday night at Banc of California Stadium. The game was tied since the 11th minute when Real Salt Lake got even. LAFC had several opportunities before finally breaking through for the game winner late in the second half.
LAFC got on the board first when Diego Rossi scored from the right side off a nice pass from Jose Cifuentes in the 10th minute. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa made two big saves in the fourth minute to prevent further damage including a stinging shot by Carlos Vela.
Real Salt Lake tied it just one minute later when Aaron Herrera beat LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero who came out to meet the ball but Herrera beat him to it. Everton Luiz set up Herrera with a pass that hit him in stride.
Real Salt Lake dodged a couple of bullets late in the first half as Vela’s shot hit the crossbar in the 37th minute and Kim Moon Hwan’s kick was knocked away in the 41st.
Two minutes of additional time were added in the first half. LAFC had another opportunity but a kick sailed wide right.
Early in the second half LAFC kept the pressure on as Raheem Edwards shot on goal was saved by a diving Ochoa.
Ochoa again came up big again in the 60th minute. A handball by Herrera set up Vela with a penalty kick but Ochoa dove to his left and knocked it away.
LAFC, after attacking Ochoa all night, finally broke the tie in the 78th minute as Vela fired one into the high right corner from the left side just out of the reach of Ochoa. The bullet put LAFC ahead to stay at 2-1.
Three minutes of additional time were added and LAFC held on for the one goal victory.
With the win LAFC improved to 6-4-3 while Real Salt Lake fell to 4-4-4.
Next up for LAFC is a home game Wednesday night against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Leave a Reply