SAN JOSE, California (Saturday, July 28, 2018) – Real Salt Lake (9-9-4, 31 points) earned its sixth shutout of the season and second consecutive draw in a scoreless tie with the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. RSL showed its resilience after playmaking MF Albert Rusnák left the match after just seven minutes with an injury, persevering to earn a point on the road.
GK Nick Rimando finished the night with three saves for his 143rd career shutout, extending his all-time MLS record.
Real Salt Lake was outshot 7-3 in the first half, but neither team had very threatening chances on the offensive end. RSL was shaken early in the match when Rusnák went to the ground in the third minute with a non-contact injury. Minutes later he was taken out of the match and examined for severe neck pain and was replaced by MF Damir Kreilach.
In the second half, both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but neither could find the net. In the 54th minute, FW Joao Plata sent a free kick into the box and DF Justen Glad snapped a header toward the far post, but Andrew Tarbell ranged to his right to make the stop. On the counter attack the other direction, Magnus Eriksson attempted to chip the oncoming Rimando while on the run but his effort missed just wide. In the 65th minute, Quincy Amarikwa got on the end of a ball from Nick Lima, but his volley attempt was tipped by Rimando and struck the crossbar. DF Marcelo Silva had a header in the 73rd minute on a ball from MF Kyle Beckerman, as well, but Tarbell stymied the shot to keep the match knotted at zeroes. In the 77th minute, FW Sebastian Saucedo sent a long ball over the head of Tarbell from near the midfield stripe, but the San Jose keeper glanced it clear for a corner and the match ended at 0-0.
It was RSL’s first road result since topping Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 on May 26, as Salt Lake remains in sixth place in the Western Conference, clinging to a playoff position with the road draw.
UP NEXT: RSL returns home for consecutive matches at Rio Tinto Stadium, beginning August 5 against the Chicago Fire in the only meeting of the season between the two clubs.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
None.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
SJ: Andrew Tarbell, 54th minute – Off an RSL free kick just outside the box on the right side, Joao Plata played the ball into the box Justen Glad snapped a header on frame, but Andrew Tarbell ranged to his right for the diving stop, swiping the shot clear.
RSL: Nick Rimando, 65th minute – Nick Lima sent a ball from the right side into the box for Quincy Amarikwa, who slipped in behind the RSL defense. His volley was bound for the net, but Nick Rimando made the save with his left hand, getting just enough of the shot to tip it into the crossbar.
SJ: Andrew Tarbell, 73rd minute – Kyle Beckerman and Damir Kreilach played a one-two up the left side, with Kreilach leading Beckerman to the endline with a crafty back-heeled pass. Beckerman then crossed to Marcelo Silva for a header, but Andrew Tarbell smothered it for the save.
NOTES:
- Head Coach Mike Petke served the second match of a two-match suspension on Saturday. Assistant Coach Freddy Juarez was in the lead chair in his place.
- MF Albert Rusnák left the match in the seventh minute after experiencing severe neck pain. The non-contact injury initially saw him leave the field in the third minute, but he tried to play through, only to remove himself from the match minutes later.
- DF Aaron Herrera and FW Sebastian Saucedo are scheduled to leave Sunday to Atlanta for the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game. After the match on Tuesday, the duo will rejoin their teammates in Utah.
- FW Luis Silva did not make the trip, tending to an adductor strain suffered during the week.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Date: July 28, 2018
Venue: Avaya Stadium; San Jose, California
Attendance: 16,351
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 75
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
San Jose Earthquakes 0 0 0
None.
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon, Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera; Kyle Beckerman, Sunny; Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák (Damir Kreilach 7’), Joao Plata (Sebastian Saucedo 71’); Corey Baird (Nick Besler 91+’).
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Danilo Acosta, Shawn Barry, Pablo Ruiz.
San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Andrew Tarbell; Nick Lima, Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Shea Salinas; Tommy Thompson (Chris Wondolowski 85’), Luis Felipe Fernandes, Anibal Godoy, Magnus Eriksson (Jahmir Hyka 71’); Vako, Quincy Amarikwa (Danny Hoesen 66’).
Subs not used: Matt Bersano, Jimmy Ockford, Joel Qwiberg, Florian Jungwirth.
Stats Summary: RSL / SJ
Shots: 8 / 15
Shots on Goal: 3 / 3
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 16
Offside: 0 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Marcelo Silva (Caution) 43’
RSL: Justen Glad (Caution) 47+’
SJ: Shea Salinas (Caution) 67’
SJ: Luis Felipe Fernandes (Caution) 72’
RSL: Brooks Lennon (Caution) 85’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal, Mike Rottersman
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
Video Assistant Referee: Victor Rivas
