Real Salt Lake tied with the Columbus Crew in a scoreless match on Saturday, June 25, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The tie keeps RSL in second place in the Western Conference standings with 29 points. RSL also moves to a record of 8-4-5 on the season and 6-0-2 at home.
First Half
The match began with the ball alternating between the teams. In the eighth minute, RSL forward Rubio RubÃn tried to pound one into the bottom right corner. However, Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room made the save. Defender Justen Glad had a great header attempt in the 21st minute but missed to the left.
In the 23rd minute, Columbus defender Pedro Santos almost found the top left corner from long range, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made the save. The game went back-and-forth until Columbus left striker James Igbekeme tried to connect into the center of the goal in the 34th, only to be stopped again by MacMath.
RSL midfielder Pablo Ruiz had a great look in the 42nd with a left-footer but missed to the left. RSL finished the half on a sour note with center-back Marcelo Silva picking up a foul before the half ended.
Second Half
The second half opened with defensive play. Igbekeme once again got another great look for Columbus in the 58th with a header that just missed to the right. RSL right-winger Justin Meram followed with a bullet to the bottom right corner, but Room was able to dive for the stop. Silva attempted a header following a corner moments later but missed the attempt.
After another miss by Igbekeme, RSL right striker Sergio Córdova almost connected into the middle of the goal, but Room made the stop. RSL went on to take three more shots over the next 14 minutes but missed all attempts.
Columbus center-back Jonathan Mensah had a great look on goal in the 86th following a corner but sent the shot right. RSL’s Glad had another great look in the 88th, but the shot went into the hands of Room once again. The rest of the half went defensive, ending the game in a 0-0 draw.
The match marks RSL’s third scoreless tie of the season.
RSL had the edge in terms of dominance, having a 51.8% to 48.2% possession time advantage. They also had an 11 to six shots advantage (four to two in shots on goal). However, Room picked up four saves compared to MacMath’s two saves.
What’s Next
RSL now heads to the Twin Cities to take on Minnesota United FC on July 3rd, at Allianz Filed in St. Paul, Minnesota. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Image courtesy of SB Nation of massivereport.com.