America First Field, Sandy, UT – In an ugly match RSL settles for a draw against Minnesota United FC and drops to 4th place in the west as the season is quickly winding down. There were some highlights but not as many as we would like this late in the season with RSL playing for playoff positioning and Minnesota still trying to secure their own post season.
The match started off with both clubs hitting the pitch with a lot of sloppy play. Although RSL had the edge in possession in the first half and throughout the match they were unable to break down the Minnesota defense enough to get any quality shots on goal. The referee made his presence known very early with showing the yellow card 4 times before the break but it really never felt like he had control of the match. With neither club able to get any rhythm in the half it was no surprise that we left the pitch with no goals.
The crowd was hopeful that they would see more action and even a result in the second half but they were destined to be out of luck. With how active the officiating was in the first half there was a reluctance to go to the pocket until very late in the match. The real fireworks started as time expired and Brayan Vera ran past an opposing player and tapped his back and in a very controversial move after going to VAR Ricardo Montero showed him a straight red card. There was plenty of pushing and the offenses on the field were far worse that what Vera did and only Chicho was shown a yellow for standing up for his club and acting as the Captain.
With the 0-0 draw RSL drops to 4th place in the West and with just 2 matches to go will need to play better than they did tonight if they want to treat their fans to home field advantage in any playoff matches. All in all it was a very disappointing evening and not what we have come to expect from the Claret and Cobalt.
Brayan Vera will miss the next match against San Jose on Saturday after his red card tonight. RSL travels to PayPal Park this Saturday, October 5th in a match against the Earthquakes before their final match of the MLS season against Vancouver on the 19th of October.
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Minnesota United FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
Misconduct Summary
MIN – Jefferson Diaz – 5′ – foul
MIN – Hassani Dotson – 24′ – foul
RSL – Brayan Vera – 32′ – foul
MIN – Kelvin Yeboah – 34′ – foul
RSL – Chicho – 90′ – unsporting behavior
RSL – Brayan Vera – 90’+3′ – Red Card
Officials
Referee: Ricardo Montero
Assistant Referee: Chris Elliott
Assistant Referee: Adam Wienckowski
4th Official: Allen Chapman
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Radchuk
AVAR: Matthew Rodman
Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Zac MacMath; Andrew Brody (Alexandros Katranis, 61′); Brayan Vera; Justen Glad; Philip Quinton; Braian Ojeda (Nelson Palacio, 61′); Diogo Goncalves (Deigo Luna, 61′); Dominik Marczuk (Anderson Julio, 71′); Emeka Eneli; Matt Crooks (Lachlan Brook, 84′); Chicho
Substitutes Not Used: Maikel Chang; Gaven Beavers; Javain Brown; Noel Caliskan
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
Minnesota United FC: Dayne St. Clair; Michael Baxall; Jefferson Diaz; Carlos Harvey; Joseph Rosales; Robin Lad; Wil Trapp; Joaquin Pereyra (Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyl, 46′); Hassani Dotson (Franco Fragapane, 65′); Kelvin Yeboah; Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Sang Bin Jeong, 74′)
Substitutes Not Used: Devin Padelford; Miguel Topias; Anthony Markanich; Samuel Shashoua; Alec Smir; Loic Mesanvi
Head Coach: Eric Ramsay