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SANDY — All it took was three hours of weather delays for Real Salt Lake to get its first win of the season in a snow-filled 3-0 home opener victory over LAFC on Saturday at America First Field.
"You don't prepare for this type of game by training in it, and I think the team that quickly adapts to the circumstances around them has better chances," RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "It wasn't easy for either team. So just a real credit to the players and the mindset to not allow circumstances beyond their control to affect them."
Heavy winds initially pushed the start time back, and then lightning delayed it even further before the snow started to fall in whirling sheets to blanket the field for the entirety of the match. An orange ball was used to help visibility, but other than that it was business as usual, except for the inch or two of fresh powder to trod through.
However, the RSL players seemed right at home early, with Colombians Andres Gomez and Chicho Arango leading the way with three total goals in the first half to make a statement against the perennial powerhouse from Southern California.
Gomez broke through in the 18th minute for his first goal of the season before doubling up in the 41st minute and assisting on Arango's score just before halftime.
"It takes a game like this to build that belief and so (I'm) really, really happy for him," Mastroeni said of Gomez. "I think all the hardships he went through to get to this point are now validated, and now he's got to maintain the same level for us moving forward."
✌️😜 loves scoring & snow angels pic.twitter.com/7hb4sA7pwN
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 2, 2024
Arango celebrated his second goal of the season by embracing the weather with a snow angel, much to the marvel of MLS fans watching around the country.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo was understandably not as happy as RSL players and coaches after playing in the snow, saying, "It was an absolute joke we had to play today."
RSL players had varying degrees of experience playing in the snow, with Gomez saying it was his first time ever. He said it brought out a "childlike joy" that was clearly reflected in his play on the field.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath said it was his fourth time playing in the snow, and newcomer Matt Crooks said he had played once in the snow but said it was "nothing like this," calling the match, "crazy."
The game ended in unfortunate fashion with a red card for Braian Ojeda, but the snow and goals had all but sealed LAFC's fate by then.
Next up for RSL is another home game against Rocky Mountain rival Colorado Rapids on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. MST.
