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SANDY — Real Salt Lake made club history Wednesday night, advancing to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal round for the first time off a 3-0 win over the NASL Carolina RailHawks.
“I’m pleased, but it means nothing to me really to be in the semifinal — it will mean something to me to win the whole thing,” said RSL head coach Jason Kreis. “We’re another step closer — I’m very pleased with that. I’m very pleased with the performance overall and tonight I thought we responded well after a pretty sluggish start and happy that we’re moving on, but a difficult, difficult challenge ahead of us.”
It was a hot night for Claret and Cobalt defenders as two of their goals of the night came from Tony Beltran in the 36th minute and Chris Wingert in the 50th minute of play. Both goals were Beltran's and Wingert's second career goals. Additionally, both of Beltran’s career goals have come in U.S. Open Cup play.
“You’ve got to be pleased when both those guys score,” said Kreis. “A lot of the game comes down to our outside backs when we play against teams that sit as deep as they do. It’s about making the aggressive decisions at the right time. I’m very, very pleased for both those guys.”
The Salt Lake club’s final goal of the night came off RSL striker Alvaro Saborio off a cross by forward Olmes Garcia in the 85th minute of play, securing the Claret and Cobalt’s victory.
“Sabo worked hard in the last match but didn’t score. Worked hard again tonight, probably should have scored maybe another one. And he’s a guy that just thrives on confidence and momentum, so I thought it was really, really critical for him to get a goal tonight, but unfortunately he leaves tomorrow for Costa Rica, so maybe they can enjoy his momentum,” said Kreis.
I'm pleased, but it means nothing to me really to be in the semifinal — it will mean something to me to win the whole thing.
–Jason Kreis
The win wasn’t just a big night for the Salt Lake club as a whole, but a big night for Kreis as the victory marked his 100th as the Claret and Cobalt sideline boss. Kreis now carries an 83-65-50 in MLS regular season play, 4-5-5 in MLS playoff action, 8-4-4 in CONCACAF Champions League play and 5-5-1 in Open Cup play.
“I feel like this is my home, this is my family,” said Kreis. “This is where it all started, this was where I was given my first chance. What the guys have given me and given to this club has been second to none, and I hope that people also recognize that all of us give everything we can to this club. It’s not just a crest on our shirt or a name on the stadium, it’s part of us.”
RSL will return to U.S. Open Cup play Aug. 7, hosting Major League Soccer opponent the Portland Timbers and former RSL midfielder Will Johnson. The Timbers defeated FC Dallas Wednesday night in Dallas 3-2 to advance to the semifinal round.
The Salt Lake club has a short turnaround before it returns to the pitch as it heads back out on the road to face MLS opponent Toronto FC. The Claret and Cobalt has never posted a win in Canada before and will look to make history for the second time this week.
RSL will return to its home pitch next Wednesday, July 3, as it hosts the Philadelphia Union. Kira Terry is a sports writer covering Real Salt Lake for KSL.com. Follow her on Twitter, @kiraterry.
