MINNESOTA (AP) — Anderson Julio scored two goals, Rubio Rubín assisted both, and Real Salt Lake opened its season with a 2-1 win over Minnesota United on Saturday night.
Julio, in his MLS debut, opened the scoring for Real Salt Lake (1-0-0) in the 31st minute at the end of a counterattack that he started from behind midfield. Rubín smothered Chase Gasper's attempt to clear away Julio's initial pass and Julio was the first to the loose ball, smashing home a right-footed shot from just inside the top of the 18-yard box.
Julio made it 2-0 in the 41st minute when Rubín chased down Gasper's errant backpass and squared to Julio for the tap-in.
Robin Lod finished Justin McMaster's pass in the 86th minute to give Minnesota (0-2-0) its first goal of the season. The Loons lost to the Seattle Sounders 4-0 in the season opener.
READ: Former Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando rejoins club as coach, ambassador
After the final whistle, Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper David Ochoa punted the game ball into the Wonderwall, Minnesota's supporters' section, and Minnesota's Hassani Dotson and Romain Metanire confronted him. The opposing players had to be separated after a brief scuffle.
MLS has taken over the process of selling RSL after owner Dell Loy Hansen was unable to find a buyer before the league's deadline of Jan. 8.
Hansen announced that he would be selling Utah Soccer Holdings — which includes RSL, the Real Monarchs, Rio Tinto Stadium and the training complex in Herriman — in August after allegations of racism surfaced. The holding company also included Utah Royals FC, but the women's team was transferred to a new owner and relocated to Kansas City.
