Diego Luna scores twice to lead Real Salt Lake to 3-1 victory over expansion side San Diego

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Diego Luna scored a goal in each half and Real Salt Lake handed expansion side San Diego FC its third straight loss with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night.

It was scoreless until first-half stoppage time.

Luna scored unassisted in spectacular fashion in the first extra minute to give Real Salt Lake (4-6-0) the lead. But Hirving “Chucky” Lozano answered on a penalty kick five minutes later to pull San Diego (4-4-2) even at halftime.

It was the second goal for Lozano in his first season in the league. The PK was awarded after Anibal Godoy was fouled by RSL defender Alexandros Katranis.

Real Salt Lake regained the lead on a PK goal by Luna in the 54th minute after a foul on San Diego midfielder Jeppe Tverskov. Luna has five goals — three shy of his career high — in nine appearances this season.

Defender Sam Junqua scored unassisted in the 66th minute for the final advantage. It was Junqua’s first goal in his first season with the club. Three of his five career goals came with FC Dallas the previous two seasons.

Rafael Cabral stopped six shots in goal for Real Salt Lake, which had lost four of its last five entering play.

CJ dos Santos had two saves for San Diego.

San Diego suffered its first shutout last week in a 3-0 road loss to Charlotte FC.

Real Salt Lake travels to play the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. San Diego will host FC Dallas on Saturday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.