By Mickinley Briggs
After kicking off the month of May with a home victory over the Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake traveled to North Texas to kick off a three-game week, looking to build momentum against Western Conference rival FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. Despite falling 3-1 to Dallas Saturday night, Real Salt Lake maintained an aggressive attacking presence throughout the match, with dynamic playmaker Diego Luna providing the lone breakthrough late in the second half.
RSL Continues to Push Despite Early Deficit
Despite conceding two early goals in the first half, both against the run of play, the Claret-and-Cobalt remained aggressive in attack and continued to create chances through the match. Dallas allowed RSL to dominate the ball with possession, but did not permit RSL’s dangerous attacking five to find space in behind, limiting RSL’s quality.
USA World Cup hopeful Luna nearly put RSL on the scoresheet in the 29th minute, striking a high-arching shot that was tipped over the bar by Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi as Salt Lake searched for a response. Just minutes later, midfielder Noel Caliskan forced another save with a left-footed effort on goal in the 32nd minute.
RSL continued to push forward in the second half. Caliskan unleashed another attempt in the 48th minute, while Morgan Guillavogui helped generate multiple attacking opportunities, including a dangerous sequence in the 59th minute involving Luna. Even while facing consistent pressure from Dallas, RSL maintained possession and continued pressing for a breakthrough late in the match.
Luna Provides the Breakthrough
That critical breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute, after a wide switch from substitute Alex Katranis found Guillavogui, who delivered a cross into the box to Luna, finding space despite being surrounded by multiple Dallas defenders. The 22-year-old, two-time MLS All-Star then took an extra touch and fired a right-footed shot into the back of the net for RSL’s lone goal of the night.
The goal marked Luna’s fourth in the last six matches, continuing an impressive stretch of form for the playmaker, who has consistently created attacking opportunities and provided energy in the final third.
While the result did not go RSL’s way, Luna’s late strike served as a reflection of the persistence the Club showed throughout the match.
Up Next
Real Salt Lake now shifts its focus forward, returning home for a pair of matches this week, looking to get back to its winning ways. A result Wednesday would allow RSL to avoid its 20th back-to-back losses in the 195-game Pablo Mastroeni era, while RSL also looks for consecutive sellout crowds number 12 and 13 this week - hosting the Houston Dynamo Wednesday at America First Field, ahead of Saturday’s Colorado Rapids visit for the first of two Rocky Mountain Cup tilts this weekend. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m. MT, with limited tickets available for purchase HERE.
