REAL SALT LAKE SETTLES FOR 1-1 DRAW WITH MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Damir Kreilach Scores His Third Goal of The Season in RSL’s Third-Straight Draw
SANDY, Utah (Saturday, May 29, 2021) – Real Salt Lake (2-1-3, 9 points) settled for a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC on Saturday in front of 10,853 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, marking the club’s third consecutive draw ahead of the international break.
A first half goal from Damir Kreilach marked his third goal of the 2021 season before his strike was cancelled out by Niko Hansen’s first career goal for Minnesota in the second half.
Postgame Quotes from RSL vs. Minnesota United FC.
In the 13th minute, RSL found the opening goal through Kreilach who latched onto the end of an Aaron Herrera cross, tucking the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a deft touch off of his right foot. Following the goal, RSL largely controlled the pace of the match while absorbing pressure from the visitors to ultimately take the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
The second half brought a more even contest with The Loons pressing for an equalizer. In the 71st minute, Justin Meram entered for Anderson Julio and made an istant impact for RSL, nearly finding the club’s second goal with a curling effort in the 75th minute that was parried away from the top corner by Tyler Miller. The visitors went on to equalize just three minutes later when Zac MacMath’s clearance effort clattered into the back of Hansen and trickled into the back of the net to bring the match level.
From then RSL pressed to find the winner that wasn’t to be despite efforts from Andrew Brody and Meram once again as RSL was forced to settle for the 1-1 draw.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake now faces a nearly three-week break before returning to the field following the FIFA international window. RSL returns to the field on Friday, June 18 when it hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 8:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Aaron Herrera, Pablo Ruiz) 13th minute: A quick-thinking freekick from Ruiz found Herrera out wide who had time and space to pick out a low-cross into the box. His out swinging effort found the run of Kreilach whose right-footed touch found the far bottom corner of the net for the lead.
MIN: Niko Hansen 75th minute: From a wide position, Chase Gaspar crossed a ball into the box that forced RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath to punch the ball clear. MacMath’s punch didn’t clear the run of Hansen as the ball clattered off of his back before trickling into the net for the equalizer.
NOTES:
- Midfielder Everton Luiz (knee) was unavailable due to injury.
- Goalkeeper David Ochoa was named to the U.S. National Team roster for a friendly against Switzerland on Sunday, May 30. He was unavailable for tonight’s match.
- Real Salt Lake had three RSL Academy products in the XI and six on the 20-man roster. Additionally, six players on the 20-man roster were previously signed to the Monarchs.
- Aaron Herrera assisted a Damir Kreilach goal for the second consecutive match.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC
Date: May 29, 2021
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Weather: Sunny and 74 Degrees
Attendance: 10,853
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Minnesota United FC 0 1 1
RSL: Damir Kreilach (Aaron Herrera, Pablo Ruiz) 13’
MIN: Niko Hansen 75’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Andrew Brody; Nick Besler, Pablo Ruiz; Albert Rusnak, Damir Kreilach, Anderson Julio (Justin Meram 71’); Rubio Rubin.
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Donny Toia, Ashtone Morgan, Erik Holt, Tate Schmitt, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang, Douglas Martinez.
Minnesota United FC (4-5-1): Tyler Miller; Bakaye Dibassy, Michael Boxall, Romain Metanire, Chase Gaspar; Jacori Hayes (Niko Hansen, 65’), Jan Gregus, Robin Lod, Will Trapp, Hassani Dotson; Adrien Hunou (Ramon Abila 65’)
Subs not used: Dayne St. Clair, Jukka Raitala, Brent Kallman, Justin McMaster, Aziel Jackson, Juan Agudelo
Stats Summary: RSL / MIN
Shots: 12 / 12
Shots on Goal: 5 / 1
Saves: 4 / 0
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 6 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
None.
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Jair Marufo
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Greeson, Ian McKay
4th Official: Sergii Demianchuk
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
AVAR: Chris Elliott
