Real Salt Lake blanks LAFC

Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach defends against LAFC midfielder Francisco Ginella.

By Associated Press

Associated Press

Sept. 9, 2020 8:45 PM PT

SANDY, Utah —

Damir Kreilach scored, Andrew Putna had a career-high eight saves and Real Salt Lake beat LAFC 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Kreilach’s header in the ninth minute gave RSL a 1-0 lead. Mikael Chang lofted an entry to Kreilach between the penalty spot and the top of the 6-yard box for the finish that slipped under the crossbar and just over the fingertips of leaping goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega.

Salt Lake (3-2-5) rebounded from a 4-0 loss to Minnesota United on Sunday to snap a three-game winless streak.

Pablo Ruiz first-timed a corner kick by Albert Rusnak that was deflected by LAFC’s Jordan Harvey but Justin Meram controlled it, side-stepped, and then paused as a defender slid by before chipping in from 7 yards out to double the advantage in the 47th minute.

Rusnak capped the scoring when he converted from the penalty spot in the 79th after Harvey was called for a hand ball in the area.

Los Angeles (3-4-3) has lost back-to-back games and four of its last five.