Real Salt Lake tied 1-1 with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The tie comes after RSL scored the first goal in the second half and the Galaxy scored in the second half with both teams unable to cash in on close shots.
RSL was able to hold the Galaxy to one goal despite being statistically dominated in almost every category.
RSL moves to 11-11-11 on the season and remains in eighth place in the Western Conference standings with 44 points. RSL currently sits one spot outside of the playoff, behind the Minnesota United FC and in front of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (who play each other next week).
RSL takes on the sixth-place Portland Timbers in their season finale next Sunday.
RSL came into the first half aggressively, taking a shot that was blocked and having back-to-back corner kicks. Marcelo Silva tried to put in the second corner attempt with a header but missed to the right, Silva tried another shot a few seconds later but was called offsides.
The Galaxy followed RSL’s aggressive start with a pursuit of their own, firing three direct shots on goal within the next 11 minutes, all saved by RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
However, RSL midfielder Scott Caldwell conceded a foul in the penalty area, allowing Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig to take a penalty kick. Luckily for RSL, MacMath was able to make the save.
RSL forward Sergio Córdova responded in the 25th minute with a goal after putting a header into the top middle of the post, giving RSL a 1-0 lead early.
Following two more missed opportunities by the Galaxy, RSL right winger Andrew Brody almost scored another goal for RSL in the 31st minute but Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made the save. Puig tried to put the Galaxy on the board in the 38th minute with another great look but MacMath made yet another save.
Brody had another excellent opportunity for RSL before the end of the half, trying to find the bottom corner, but Bond made the save.
RSL began the second half with another great look from Bryan Oviedo with a long-range shot up the middle but Bond made another save.
The Galaxy had an opportunity to score in the 68th minute following a penalty conceded by Silva after following Javier Hernández Balcázar in the penalty area. This set up Douglas Costa to connect the equalizer into the bottom right corner to tie the game 1-1.
The following minutes consisted of both teams alternating back and forth on the field with both teams missing shots. In the match’s final minutes, RSL fullback Justen Glad almost scored another goal for RSL with a header, but Bond made the save. Glad followed with a shot off his foot just moments after but missed high, sealing the game ending in a tie.
RSL will next play in their season finale against the Portland Timbers on Sunday, Oct. 9, at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The match will kick off at 3 p.m. MT. The match can be streamed on ESPN+ or locally on KMYU. The game can also be streamed on KSLSports.com.