Sanabria scored his first goal for Real Salt Lake and was named “Player of the Match,” but it wasn't enough for a victory

After standing out with the Uruguayan national team at the 2026 World Cup by shutting down Lamine Yamal against Spain, Juan Manuel Sanabria has quickly resumed his key role on the left wing for Real Salt Lake. Although both teams created chances from the start, it was the Uruguayan’s team that struck first thanks to his goal in the 18th minute. The former Nacional player received a pass from Lukas Engel and played it on to Guinean international Morgan Guilavogui, who controlled the ball and played a give-and-go with Sanabria, who finished with a left-footed shot to the far post to send the ball into the net. The club’s official website named the 26-year-old winger and left back the “Player of the Match” despite the 2-1 loss on the road against the MLS’s Portland Timbers, as he scored his first goal in the 13 matches he has played since his arrival in February. Sanabria, who joined Mexico’s Atlético San Luis in July 2023, was transferred to Salt Lake for a fee that, according to Mexican media reports, is around six million dollars. During his time at San Luis, he contributed seven goals and 29 assists in 169 appearances. The club that acquired Sanabria’s rights shares owners with teams such as Crystal Palace and Augsburg, so the player’s medium-term goal is to make the leap to one of those clubs, although everything will depend on his performance. В эту группу также входят такие команды, как «Эшторил» из Португалии, «Адо ден Хааг» из Нидерландов и «Ваасланд-Беверен» из Бельгии. Стремясь положить конец своей серии без выездных побед до возобновления турнира Leagues Cup, «Реал Солт-Лейк» отправится в гостевой матч против «Сент-Луис Сити СК» в эту субботу, 1 августа.