Real Salt Lake 2 vs Columbus Crew SC 2
July 29, 2017; Sandy, Utah; Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Salt Lake (7-12-4, 25 points); Columbus Crew SC (10-11-2, 32 points)
Man of the Match: Luis Silva continues to impress in his run of starts at to point of the attack. On Saturday, he created a game-high five scoring chances against a Columbus side that spent much of the match with 11 men behind the ball. It was his possession in the box that drew the penalty and he assisted on Jefferson Savarino’s goal to momentarily give RSL the lead. He also had four shots in the match to create some danger in the attack. He now has one goal and two assists on the season, with one goal and one assist coming in his last two matches.
Telling Stat: Joao Plata had four goals and one assist in four matches in the month of July, including the equalizing penalty in the 50th minute to make it 1-1. He has six goals and three assists on the season and drew level with Robbie Findley for third on Real Salt Lake’s all-time scoring list with 36 career MLS goals in five seasons with the Claret-and-Cobalt.
What You Missed: RSL Head Coach Mike Petke may not have been on the sideline for the match due to suspension, but he still made his presence felt. Before the match, he visited with supporters in the tailgate lot (read about it here) and when his name was announced in pregame he received a hearty reception from the Rio Tinto Stadium crowd.
So What: Real Salt Lake is unbeaten at 2-0-2 in the last four matches, but rightly will feel a bit incomplete with two draws coming at home after posting two convincing road wins against the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers. RSL is now 2-4-3 against the Eastern Conference, with remaining road matches against D.C. United and the Montreal Impact, currently 11th and 10th in the East, respectively.
