RSL road woes continue in 2-1 loss in Atlanta

SANDY — Real Salt Lake dropped its third-straight road game Wednesday in Atlanta, going down 2-0 early and struggling to equalize in the second half after a goal from Johan Kappelhof made it 2-1 just before halftime.

"I think there were a couple defensive lapses," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said of the loss. "We were loose at the start of the game and never quite recovered."

RSL had five changes to its starting lineup in Atlanta, including replacing captain and defensive anchor Marcelo Silva with 25-year-old Monarchs product Erik Holt at center back.

18-year-old Diego Luna got his first start for RSL, while Nick Besler and Tate Schmitt brought up the remaining replacements, giving Silva, Sergio Cordova, Maikel Chang, Jefferson Savarino and Jasper Loffelsend a rest after playing just four days ago.

The inexperienced back line showed its weakness early, as Ronaldo Cisneros darted past Kappelhof – who replaced the injured Justen Glad – to receive a through ball, then stopped the ball short of Holt and drilled one into the far post past Zac MacMath.

Both teams put up promising shots near the 30-minute mark, with the goalkeepers coming up with big saves to hold steady. Atlanta eventually broke through shortly after, however, as Cisneros got his second goal in the 33rd minute.

RSL finally found its attacking touch minutes later in the 37th minute as Justin Meram curled a left-footed cross into the box and Kappelhof was left unmarked far post for the easy header goal.

Meram nearly got the second goal himself in the 41st minute, but his shot struck teammate Rubio Rubin on its way to the far post and was instead deflected out of bounds.

MacMath saved RSL from going down 3-1 just before halftime when he blocked a free kick just outside the box and was able to keep the ball in bounds, sending both teams to the locker room.

Cordova and Loffelsend came on for Luna and Pablo Ruiz at the half and Chang was brought on soon after, signaling an attacking move for an RSL squad looking for an equalizer and point on the road.

RSL seemingly threw in the towel in the 68th minute, however, as Meram and Brody were taken off for Bode Hidalgo and Chris Kablan. The move was likely motivated by an attempt to preserve the two RSL starters for Sunday's home match against Kansas City.

RSL struggled to get an equalizing chance on frame in the final 20 minutes without its offensive engine in Savarino and Meram. Both teams pitched a shutout in the second half and Atlanta got a big home win after losing 3-0 at home to Austin last week.

"It wasn't from a lack of effort," Mastroeni said. "Just a lack of quality in really important moments that let us down."

The Claret and Cobalt return home on Sunday to take on Sporting Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. MDT at Rio Tinto Stadium.

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