Real Salt Lake 1 vs D.C. United 1
July 1, 2016; Sandy, Utah; Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Salt Lake (8-5-4, 28 points); D.C. United (5-6-6, 21 points)
Man of the Match: After 12 shots that couldn’t solve D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid, Juan Manuel Martinez finally cracked the code in the 57th minute and he lofted his shot over Hamid and into the net for his sixth goal of the season. In addition, he had a game-high three dribbles completed and created two scoring chances. He continues to make an impact game-after-game and now he shares the team lead in scoring with Yura Movsisyan, who assisted on Martinez’s goal on Friday.
Telling Stat: Three times this season, RSL has carried a shutout into stoppage time and had the clean sheet sullied by goals after the 90th minute, four across all competitions. They have managed one victory and two draws in those three matches in MLS play. Javier Morales said after the match that these types of results feel more like three points lost than one point won.
What You Missed: RSL has been among the most entertaining teams in MLS in the attack. With the technical ability, the speed and the prowess in the box, the Claret-and-Cobalt is starting to find an offensive groove and opponents are taking notice. D.C. Head Coach Ben Olsen said after the match, “Their front four is as dynamic as we have seen this year. Their understanding of each other and the way they put you under the gun. They are just relentless in their attack.”
So What: Real Salt Lake reached the official halfway point of the MLS season and continues to generate chances to score and eight shots on goal on Friday easily could have put the game away much earlier in the night. While the missed opportunities leave the team wanting more, the likelihood that those chances will be converted as they were when RSL scored three goals in three consecutive matches provides a lot of promise for the second half of the season.
