Real Salt Lake loses Cristian Arango due to injury in surprise 0-2 defeat against bottom of the table Earthquakes

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Cristian Espinoza and Amahl Pellegrino scored first-half goals and the San Jose Earthquakes, currently in last place, beat Real Salt Lake, sending Cristian “Chicho” Arango out due to injury, in a 2-0 victory Saturday night.

Arango limped off the field in the 41st minute for Real Salt Lake (12-6-8) with a right thigh injury after being fouled by San Jose midfielder Carlos Gruezo when his team was already two goals down. He was replaced by Anderson Julio. Arango and DC United's Christian Benteke are tied for the league lead in the Golden Boot race with 17 goals this season.

The Earthquakes (5-19-2), who entered the game as the league's worst team with just 14 points through three quarters of the season, took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Espinoza's fourth goal of the season, with Jackson Yueill picking up his second assist.

San Jose took a two-goal lead in the 33rd minute and held on to halftime when Amahl Pellegrino scored an unassisted goal. Pellegrino scored six goals in his first season in the league, making 18 starts and 24 appearances.

Daniel De Sousa Britto finished with four saves as San Jose goalkeeper and secured his second clean sheet in his fifth start and ninth appearance this season.

Zac MacMath blocked three shots for Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake, which entered the game third in the Western Conference, and San Jose met for the first time this season.

Real Salt Lake falls to 8-3-1 at home this season, where the team will play five of its final eight games.

The Earthquakes return home to play Minnesota United on Saturday. Real Salt Lake hosts the New England Revolution on Saturday.

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AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

The Associated Press