Real Salt Lake was able to earn a hard-fought point on Saturday, drawing FC Dallas 1-1 despite going down a man in the 17th minute.
Here are some interesting numbers from Saturday’s match:
20,488
Rio Tinto Stadium was sold-out on Saturday night, with 20,488 fans filling the RioT to capacity for the seventh time this season. The sellout was the third consecutive full house at the Sandy facility.
1
With Saturday’s draw, Real Salt Lake maintains the lead in the Western Conference with a total of 52 points, one point ahead of second-place Seattle Sounders FC.
2
The Claret-and-Cobalt remains competitive in the Supporters’ Shield race, currently sitting in second-place, one point behind the league-leading New York Red Bulls.
6
Real Salt Lake is currently looking to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the sixth-straight year. The Claret-and-Cobalt could clinch its berth in the postseason before it plays its next game on Oct. 19 at Portland, as a San Jose loss or tie against Colorado on Wednesday would put RSL in the playoffs.
Should San Jose beat Colorado on Wednesday, RSL would clinch a postseason berth with a win at Portland on Oct. 19. The Claret-and-Cobalt would effectively clinch a spot in the postseason with a tie at Portland through tiebreakers held over San Jose.
A sixth-consecutive postseason qualification which would tie RSL for the second longest such streak in MLS history with the New York Red Bulls (Six years; 2003-2008), trailing only the New England Revolution (Eight years; 2002-2009). RSL’s current streak of five consecutive MLS Cup Playoff berths is the longest active run of postseason qualification in the league.
1-2-3
RSL was shown its sixth red card of the season on Saturday, when defender Abdoulie Mansally was ejected in the 17th minute for a late tackle on Dallas’ Jackson. The Claret-and-Cobalt is 1-2-3 in the six league games it’s gotten a red card in this year.
11
Forward Alvaro Saborio scored his 11th goal of the 2013 season in the 60th minute, working his way around three defenders to strike a half-volley inside the left post from 12 yards out. Despite playing in just 14 league games, Saborio is now in a three-way tie for fifth place in the MLS Budweiser Golden Boot standings.
9-2-4
In the 2013 MLS regular season, Real Salt Lake has a 9-2-4 record at home. The Claret-and-Cobalt is 73-31-38 all-time at home.
