RSL in a chippy match with Portland ends in a draw

RSL starting XI vs Portland Timbers

RSL starting XI vs Portland Timbers

Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT  – In a very chippy match tonight, Real Salt Lake draw with the Portland Timbers thanks to a late PK equalizer from Yura Movsisyan.

It felt like a rivalry match as these two Western Conference clubs met up the first time this season.  It felt at times like referee Alan Kelly had lost control and a red card was inevitable, however, both clubs finished the match with a full squad.

Portland get one past Nick

Portland get one past Nick

Tonight RSL struck first in what was an amazing header from Burrito in the 17th minute on a Javier Morales corner.  It felt like this could be a blowout as the Claret and Cobalt dominated play in the first half hour.  In a sign of what we could expect the rest of the night, the momentum shifted to the Timbers starting in the 29th minute when Fenando Adi was able to find the defense a little out of step and equalized the match.

Joao Plata with another solid night for RSL

Joao Plata with another solid night for RSL

Late in the first half Lucas Melano put the Timbers into the lead when a shot from Diego Valeri hit the post and rebounded to his feet putting Portland at 2 goals to a single score for Real.

In spite of Portland being all over Yura Movsisyan all night, he never let up having a number of good opportunities against Timbers goalkeeper Gleeson.  Yura was able to get some payback for the hard play when he broke free in the 70th minute and as he approached the net he was taken down by Jermaine Taylor in the penalty area and referee Alan Kelly pointed to the

Yura Movsisyan battle Nat Borchers

Yura Movsisyan battle Nat Borchers

spot.  In an uncharacteristic move, Movsisyan lined up the PK and put the ball past Gleeson leveling the score at 2-2.

Another sign of how the tone of the match was the crowds response to some rough play from the (former?) fan favorite Nat Borchers who was booed the rest of the evening every time he touched the ball.

Real Salt Lake remains undefeated at Rio Tinto Stadium the year with four wins and one draw in five home matches.

Goals by Period         1  2  F
Real Salt Lake             1  1  2
Portland Timbers         2  0  2

Scoring Summary:
RSL – Juan Manuel Martinez – 17′
POR  – Fanendo Adi – 29′
POR– Lucas Melano – 44′
RSL – Yura Movsisyan – 70′ PK

Misconduct Summary:
POR – Ben Zemenski – 33′
POR – Diego Chara – 33′
RSL – Tony Beltran – 56′
RSL – Justen Glad – 66′
POR – Zarek Valentin – 84′

Lineups:

Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Aaron Maund; Chris Wingert; Justen Glad; Tony Betran; Luke Mulholland; Sunday Stephen (Jordan Allen, 64′); Luke Mulholland; Javier Morales; Juan Manuel Martinez; Yura Movsisyan (Olmes Garcia, 90’+1′)

Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Attinella; Omar Holness; Jamison Olave; Devon Sandoval; John Stertzer

Portland TImbers: Jake Gleeson; Jermaine Taylor; Nat Borchers; Liam Ridgewell; Zarek Valentin; Diego Chara; Ben Zemanski; Diego Valeri; Lucas Melano (Jack Barmby, 81′); Ned Grabavoy (Darren Mattocks 76′); Fanendo Adi (Jack McInerney, 90’+1′)

Substitutes Not Used: Wade Hamilton; Jack Jewsbury; Amobi Okugo; Taylor Peay

Referee; Alan Kelly
Referee’s Assistnant: Matthew Nelson
Referee’s Assistnant: Eduardo Mariscal
4th Official: Baldomero Toledo

Next up for RSL

Real Salt Lake has a busy MLS week next week when they host the New York Redbulls on Wednesday June 22nd at Rio Tinto Stadium, then the quick turnaround as they travel to Toyota Stadium in Frisco Texas to take on FC Dallas on June 25.

 

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