Real Salt Lake drew 1-1 with FC Dallas in a tight match on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The tie came as both teams scored in different halves, and both sides couldn’t knock in numerous attempts. RSL now drops to sixth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 10-8-9 on the season and 39 points.
The First Half
RSL attacked first as forward Sergio Córdova took a header on goal in the second minute but missed right.
Dallas answered in the seventh minute as Alan Velasco struck a dart into the bottom left corner with his right foot, giving RSL an early 1-0 lead.
RSL midfielder Pablo Ruiz tried to answer a few minutes later but missed a shot slightly to the right. Ruiz had another good look in the 21st minute but hit the post.
Savarino had a direct shot on goal in the 35th minute; however, Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes made the save. Fullback Andrew Brody gave RSL another good look in the 42nd minute with a header towards the center of the goal, but Paes made the catching save.
The Second Half
Dallas came furiously into the second half, taking three shots within the first 13 minutes, two of which were saved by RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Anderson Julio took the first shot on goal in the half for RSL, trying to sneak the ball into the bottom left corner; however, Paes made the diving stop. Ruiz followed a few minutes later with a bullet towards the top left corner, but Paes made the save there as well.
However, Julio directed a header into the bottom right corner following a cross kick from Aaron Herrera in the 69th to even the score 1-1. A few minutes later, center back Justen Glad had a great opportunity to score, sending a volley towards the top center of the goal; however, Paes made another save.
RSL proceeded to fire four shots in the following nine minutes but was unable to score. Dallas took two shots in the last seven minutes, including the final minute, but were unable to knock any in as well, ending the game with a score of 1-1.
While Dallas led in possession percentage (51.9% to 48.1%) and blocked shots (five to two), RSL outshot Dallas 16 to 13 and shots on goal six to three. Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes had his hands full with five saves while RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath had two.Â
RSL returns home to take on Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, August 31, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+ or locally on KMYU. The game can also be streamed on KSLSports.com.
Image courtesy of The Dallas Morning News