Córdova’s Goal Gives Real Salt Lake 1-0 Lead Over Vancouver

Aug 20, 2022, 9:46 PM | Updated: 9:53 pm

Photo courtesy: Laura Dearden, Real Salt Lake

Digital Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – After a snake-bitten RSL squad had squandered a number of goal scoring opportunities, Sergio Córdova finally broke the seal, giving RSL a 1-0 lead.

This is the third straight match Córdova has scored a goal as he has been dynamic in recent matches for Real Salt Lake.

After each team had a shot carom off of the crossbar in the first 15 minutes of the second half, RSL defender Jasper Löffelsend found Córdova on a run in the middle of the field near the top of the 18-yard box. Córdova shook a Whitecap defender before blasting a ball past Vancouver’s goalkeeper for the first goal of the game.

WE ON TOPPPPPPPPPPP 🤌 pic.twitter.com/EKUG11j5To

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 21, 2022

It was the team-leading seventh goal of the season for Córdova. The assist was Löffelsend’s second of the year.

Real Salt Lake continues to cling to a 1-0 advantage as the match heads into the 75th minute.

Western Conference Standings

Real Salt Lake finds itself fifth in the west with 37 points. Vancouver sits in the seventh position with 33 points.

“Every game from here on out is a playoff game,” Mastroeni told KSL Sports following his team’s final training session on Friday.

Coming into the match, Real Salt Lake only had nine league games remaining in the 2022 season as they look to host a playoff game for the first time in three years.

Step bros are coming to town.#RSLvVAN | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/L2eYIrJYhD

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 19, 2022

RSL began the season undefeated at home through their first 10 games before suffering losses to FC Dallas and LAFC in the previous two matches at Rio Tinto Stadium.

For their part, Vancouver, is creeping up the western conference following years of being at the bottom of the conference. The Whitecaps beat Colorado 2-1 midweek at B.C. Place to jump into a playoff position for the first time this season.

Earlier in the year, Real Salt Lake lost to Vancouver 2-1 at BC Place on June 4. Aaron Herrera was red-carded in stoppage time and conceded a penalty that was scored to pinch a victory for the Whitecaps.