SANDY, Utah (Saturday, June 10, 2023) – Real Salt Lake (5-7-5, 20 points, 10th West) settled for a 0-0 draw against New York City FC to close out another unbeaten three-game week, one which saw the team earn a road victory last Saturday in Austin, secure a berth in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Wednesday against the Galaxy and post the clean sheet at America First Field.
In the 15th minute, FW **Rubio Rubín** - creator of all five goals against Austin and Galaxy - found himself on a breakaway towards an open net, but New York City goalkeeper Luis Barraza (a former RSL Academy product) was able to track back and make the last-second save on the shot, preventing what appeared to be the opener for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Five minutes later, **Diego Luna** - celebrating his return from the U-20 World Cup in Argentina - hit a seeing-eye pass through two defenders to an unmarked **Danny Musovski**, but somehow a New York City defender was able to block his shot with the side of his body. It happened again in the 26th minute, with Musovski one-on-one with the ‘keeper, but again Barraza made the point-blank save.
New York City’s best chance came in the 31st minute, but RSL goalkeeper **Zac MacMath**, in his first game back from concussion protocol due to a May 27 collision, was able to make the save with ease. As the first half approached its end, Real Salt Lake continued to find fast-break opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on any of them, the two sides entered the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.
Coming out of the halftime break, RSL winger **Jefferson Savarino** had his go at a pair of nearly identical shots, each skipping just wide left of the far post. The Venezuelan attacker was inches away from putting RSL in the lead when substitute **Damir Kreilach** found Savarino outside the 18-yard-box, but the rocketed attempt smacked off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
As the match wore on, the two sides found themselves embattled in a fight for midfield dominance, neither seemingly able to break through. In the 82nd minute, second-half substitute Anderson Julio looked to have RSL on top, but his shot was blocked with a diving save from the goalkeeper. Despite best efforts from the Claret-and-Cobalt, the team was unable to secure the go-ahead goal and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake are set to head travel East to face D.C. United next Saturday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The team will remain on the road for a midweek match against St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT.
NOTES:
- Midfielder Diego Luna made his return to the lineup with his first action since May 6 in Houston and his first start since April 26 at Las Vegas, having missed the last month leading the USA U-20 side to the FIFA Youth World Cup Quarterfinal stage in Argentina.
- Goalkeeper Zac MacMath returned to his position in between the posts after suffering a concussion that saw him miss three-and-a-half matches since May 27.
- MacMath now has four clean sheets this season - all in MLS play - while homegrown GK Gavin Beavers added another in U.S. Open Cup action.
- The scoreless draw was RSL’s fourth in the 2023 MLS campaign, while the shutout suffered was RSL’s fourth this year at home.
- Four RSL players - Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela), Rubio Rubin (Guatemala), Braian Ojeda (Paraguay) and Anderson Julio (Ecuador) - will miss upcoming June games due to international duty.
- Tonight’s attendance of 20,301 marked RSL’s fourth sellout crowd in 10 home contests this season, following 19 sellouts a year ago at America First Field.
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Bode Hidalgo, Justen Glad, Marceloa Silva, Andrew Brody; Jefferson Savarino (Maikel Chang 79’), Braian Ojeda, Pablo Ruiz, Diego Luna (Andrés Goméz 61’); Rubio Rubin (Damir Kreilach 61’), Danny Musovski (Anderson Julio 79’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Emeka Eneli, Delentz Pierre, Scott Caldwell, Jasper Löffelsend
New York City FC (3-4-2-1): Luis Barraza; Braian Cufre (Kevin O’Toole 61’), Stephen Turnbull (Tayvon Gray 73’), Tony Alfaro; James Sands, Alfredo Morales, Santiago Rodriguez, Keaton Parks, Justin Haak, Gabriel Pereira (Matias Pellegrini 73’); Talles Magno
Subs not used: Gabe Segal, Richard Ledezma, Andres Jasson, Nicholas Benalcazar, Mitja Ilenic, Matt Freese
Stats Summary: RSL / NYCShots: 20 / 5
Shots on Goal: 4 / 1
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 9 / 2
Fouls: 12 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:NYC: Gabriel Pereira (caution) 32’
RSL: Justen Glad (caution) 42’
NYC: Justin Haak (caution) 70’
NYC: Luis Barraza (caution) 80’
NYC: Tony Alfaro (caution) 84’
