Diego Luna’s second-half goal led Real Salt Lake to a 1-0 victory over the host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
With the victory, Real Salt Lake (15-7-11, 56 points) secured a top-four spot in the Western Conference and extended their unbeaten streak to five matches. Salt Lake has nine points over its past five matches (2-0-3).
The Earthquakes (6-24-3, 21 points), eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention, have just one win over their past six matches.
Luna broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, putting his left-footed strike from the top of the area past a diving Daniel for his seventh goal of the season.
Salt Lake midfielder Dominik Marczuk had an excellent chance in the 70th minute but put his header off the crossbar.
Cristian Arango had multiple opportunities after being subbed in during the 55th minute.
The RSL striker thought he’d opened the scoring in the 56th minute, but he was ruled offside.
Then, in the 65th minute, Arango one-timed a Marczuk cross, but Daniel got his hands on it to tip it over the bar.
Real Salt Lake controlled the first-half possession and had the only two shots on target.
Luna had the best opportunity of the opening 45. The midfielder had a right-footed strike in the area four minutes in, but Daniel got both his hands on it to deflect it wide.
Saturday was the second and final meeting of the season between the two clubs — San Jose picked up a 2-0 victory in Salt Lake City on Aug. 24.
RSL wraps up the MLS regular season on Oct. 19 when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps, while San Jose travels south to finish the season against Los Angeles FC in two weeks.
–Field Level Media
