Real Salt Lake 2 at Minnesota United FC 3
July 14, 2018; Minneapolis, Minnesota; TCF Bank Stadium
Real Salt Lake (9-9-2, 29 points); Minnesota United FC (7-11-1, 22 points)
Man of the Match: Joao Plata came off the bench and was an instant spark to an RSL attack seeking answers. Opportunities were there and Plata converted, scoring twice in the final 13 minutes to get RSL back in the game after Minnesota stormed to a 3-0 lead. It wasn’t just his two goals though. Plata also created three other scoring chances for RSL late in the match as the visitors pressed for an equalizer. He hadn’t scored since April 21 and getting him back on track creates even more competition in RSL’s attacking core, which features four players with five goals each – Plata, Albert Rusnák, Luis Silva and Corey Baird.
Telling Stat: Over the stretch of 17 minutes and four seconds between Minnesota’s first and third goals, RSL was outshot 5-1 with Minnesota putting four shots on goal, scoring three. That pivotal stretch decided the game. RSL had chances earlier in the first half to jump to a lead, but failed to convert, leaving the door open for the home side to go on the run it did.
What You Missed: Well … Mike Petke says it all in his postgame reaction. (See above video)
So What: The road bug continues to bite RSL. A dominant first half goes unrewarded as three goals in a 17-minute span for Minnesota put the game all but out of reach. There are certainly positives for a young team to learn from, but with one point keeping RSL out of the postseason last year, the club isn’t in position to drop points on the road. The opportunities continue for RSL though, with the Colorado Rapids visiting Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday as Real Salt Lake looks to extend its nine-game home unbeaten streak and build some momentum before heading on the road to face the San Jose Earthquakes.
