SANDY, Utah — Cristian “Chicho” Arango scored his ninth goal of the season to help Real Salt Lake beat Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on Saturday night.
Chicho is tied with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for most goals in MLS this season. The 30-year-old striker has scored or assisted on 16 of RSL's 19 goals in 2024.
Real Salt Lake (6-2-3) has won three consecutive games and is unbeaten in its last seven.
Brayan Vera played a free kick from the right side to the back post, where Chicho bounced a header off the pitch and over the outstretched arm of goalkeeper John Pulskamp to open the scoring in the 81st minute.
Zac MacMath had one save for Real Salt Lake. RSL has allowed just nine goals this season, tied with FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew for fewest in MLS.
Kansas City (2-4-5) has surrendered 12 goals during its current five-game winless (three losses, two ties) streak.
John Pulskamp, 23-year-old Homegrown, had three saves in his first appearance of the season for Sporting.
Kansas City defender Tim Leibold slid to deflect a shot by Diego Luna from near the penalty spot that rolled just outside the post in the 68th minute.
Real Salt Lake had 58% possession and outshot Sporting 14-10, including 4-1 on target.