RSL and SKC draw at Rio Tinto

Morales fights through Nagamura

Morales fights through Nagamura

Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT – Real Salt Lake and Kansas City duke it our for a draw this afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium in their third meeting this season.  RSL visited Children’s Mercy Park twice this year, both time coming away with 3 points.

RSL could have clinched a playoff berth with a win,but with both clubs fighting hard the entire match and they both have to wait till the final match of the regular season to see if they earn a place in the playoffs.  Real Salt Lake currently sits in 4th place in the Western Conference and Sporting KC still holds the 6th and final spot.

Coaches Cassar and Vermes

Coaches Cassar and Vermes

Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar said he also believes that his team’s offensive misfortunes will turn around, while acknowledging his players need a confidence booster.

“Let’s be honest,” Cassar said. “You can’t go three or four games without scoring and exude confidence.”

He said his team simply has to “find a way — and it doesn’t have to be beautiful.”

Justen Glad Undressed by Abdul-Salaam

Justen Glad Undressed by Abdul-Salaam

Real Salt Lake did have chances to score, taking 10 shots in the second half and a total of 15 shots in the match.  Yura Movsisyan left the match in the 57th minute after several good chances including one in the 55th minute when he was left unmarked in the box and with the ball at his feet.  He had a hard time controlling the ball, and before he could line up, SKC had closed down the goal.

Yura would leave the match 2 minutes later with a bruised heal that was affecting his ability to maneuver and was replaced by Jordan Allen.

Chris Schuler back in form

Chris Schuler back in form

Chris Schuler did provide a bright note in his first start since September 10th.with a couple of shots on goal that went wide of the net and a solid defensive night.  Coach Cassar praised Schuler’s fantastic play and is looking forward to more solid play but more importantly finishing as they complete the MLS season next week in Seattle.

 

Goals by Period         1  2  F
Real Salt Lake             0  0  0
Sporting KC                 0  0  0

Scoring Summary:

Misconduct Summary:
RSL – Luke Mulholland – 32′ – Foul
RSL – Justen Glad – 58′ – Foul
RSL – Kyle Beckerman – 84′ – Foul

Officials
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referee: Ian Anderson
Assistant Referee: Adam Garner
4th Official: Chris Penso

Lineups:

RSL Team Photo

RSL Team Photo

Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran; Chris Schuler; Justen Glad; Demar Phillips;  Luke Mulholland; Javier Morales; Kyle Beckerman; Jordan Allen; Juan Manuel Martinez (Jordan Allen, 77′); Yura Movsisyan (Olmes Garcia, 57′); Joao Plata

Substitutes Not Used: Lalo Fernandez; Sunny Stephen; Jamison Olave; John Stertzer; Chris Wingert

Sporting KC: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi; Dom Dwyer; Roger Espinoza; Saad Abdul- Salaam; Seth Sinovic; Kevin Ellis; Matt Besler; Soni Mustivar; Paulo Nagamura; Benny Feilhaber (Ike Opara, 90′ + 1′)

Substitutes Not Used: Alec Kann; Ever Alvarado; Connor Hallisey; Benji Joya; Cameron Porter; Nuno Andre Coelho

Next up for RSL

Real Salt Lake wraps up the MLS 2016 regular season at CenturyLink Field when they take on the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, October 23rd.

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