Real Salt Lake lost at home for the first time this season in a 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas on Saturday, July 23, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The loss comes despite RSL dominating possession and shots. RSL now drops to fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 33 points and a record of 9-7-6 on the season. RSL’s impressive home record now falls to 7-1-3.
The First Half
RSL came out shooting to start the first half with Jefferson Savarino and Sergio Córdova taking attempts in the sixth and seventh minutes. Savarino’s shot missed right and Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes saved Córdova’s header.
Dallas forward Alan Velasco almost drove in a shot in the 10th minute, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made the save. Dallas proceeded with two more missed attempts until forward Jesús Ferreira punched the ball into the bottom left corner in the 14th minute to put Dallas up 1-0.
RSL midfielder Pablo Ruiz tried to answer in the 20th, however Paes saved it. Velasco had a chance to give Dallas another goal but sailed a direct shot too high. RSL fullback Andrew Brody tried to head one in at the end of the half, but Paes once again made the save.
The Second Half
RSL once again came into the next half swinging, with Ruiz taking a shot at the center of the goal, yet Paes once again made the stop. RSL then proceeded to miss seven attempts over the next 23 minutes.
Savarino had a great opportunity in the 83rd minute, firing at the center of the goal, but Paes thwarted him. The next 11 minutes were riddled with six fouls (three apiece for each team) and several blocked shots.
RSL’s Justin Meram was close to knocking a shot from a set-piece situation in the 94th, but the shot was just off to the right. A few minutes later, Córdova attempted the final shot of the game; however, the shot was too high, ending the game.
RSL lost the match despite dominating in possession (69.3% to 30.7%), shots (25 to seven), shots on goal (five to two), and blocked shots (nine to two). Dallas FC goalkeeper Maarten Paes made five saves in a shutout performance while RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made just one.
RSL now heads to the Bay Area to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 30, at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The game will begin at 8 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Photo courtesy of RSL Soapbox.
