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The Real Salt Lake-Austin FC match was suspended for over two hours on Saturday due to lightning in the Austin area. But it was the lightning strikes on the field that the Verde should have been concerned about in the end.
Rubio Rubin scored twice for RSL, once on either side of the weather delay, to get his team a crucial road win. It was his first time scoring since October 2022, and just his third and fourth goals since October 2021.
"I felt great," Rubin said of the goals. "It has been like 15 games and just feels great, and obviously to do it against Austin after last year and getting that red card and losing in the playoffs and coming back here doing that."
The first goal came on a pinpoint cross from Jasper Loffelsend in the 15th minute that Rubin headed past the keeper, and the eventual game-winner came in the 81st minute on a cross from Andres Gomez followed by a pass back across the box to Rubin by Maikel Chang, which the Oregon native slotted easily into the far post.
Gavin Beavers came up big once again in Zac MacMath's absence in goal for RSL, totaling four saves, including a pair of clutch grabs in the second half to keep RSL ahead.
Beavers with another save! His best of the night to keep #RSL up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/o2erZ19QnZ
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) June 4, 2023
Austin was able to get one past Beavers in stoppage time, but it was too late by then to overcome Rubin's brace from above.
The win in Austin gave RSL its second road win in the last three MLS road matches, and the team is undefeated on the road in its last four road MLS matches. The win also brings RSL level with Austin in the Western Conference standings for the final playoff spot.
"Most importantly we got the three points and we're heading back home and kind of riding this momentum," Rubin said. "I think the last three games on the road or four games we've gotten results which is huge for the team and for that confidence."
RSL returns to Utah for a pair of home games next week, taking on the LA Galaxy in the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Wednesday and New York City FC in MLS play on Saturday, June 10.
