Tucson, Arizona (Saturday, February 15, 2020) – Real Salt Lake opened the 2020 Visit Tucson Sun Cup on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Kansas City, extending players out to 90 minutes for the first time in preseason.
The first half lacked for scoring chances as both teams sought to find the rhythm of the match. Kyle Beckerman had the game’s first real chance when he got his head to an Albert Rusnák corner kick early in the match, but his effort missed high. Kansas City broke through on a few occasions, but staunch defending from RSL’s back line thwarted any scoring opportunities before they threatened goal.
In the second half, David Ochoa came up with a series of big saves over the first 20 minutes to keep the match scoreless. On the other end, Justen Glad – playing as a right back – got into the attack and nearly connected on a header from a missed SKC clearance around the 70th minute, but his putback attempt from 12 yards out found the goalkeeper’s hands comfortably. Both teams had late set-piece opportunities to break the deadlock, but neither could find the net and the match ended in a scoreless draw.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake will face the Houston Dynamo in the second match of the 2020 Visit Tucson Sun Cup on Wednesday at Kino North Stadium at 4 p.m. MT. The match will be streamed live on the KSLTV app.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
None
NOTES:
- During the first match in the 2020 Visit Tucson Sun Cup, RSL played an abbreviated match against the Houston Dynamo on an adjoining field. Maikel Chang scored the match’s lone goal as RSL prevailed 1-0 in the 45-minute scrimmage. Salt Lake’s lineup was: Andrew Putna; Alvin Jones, Erik Holt, Taylor Peay, Ashtone Morgan; Everton Luiz, Nick Besler; Douglas Martinez, Pablo Ruiz, Maikel Chang; Giuseppe Rossi.
- Damir Kreilach and Justin Meram were limited to 30 minutes in the match. Kreilach is returning from a knock while Meram joined camp this week.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City
Date: February 15, 2020
Venue: Kino Stadium; Tucson, Arizona
Weather: Sunny and 68
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Sporting Kansas City 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1) – Zac MacMath (David Ochoa 46’); Justen Glad, Nedum Onuoha, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia; Kyle Beckerman, Justin Portillo; Aaron Herrera, Albert Rusnák, Justin Meram (Tate Schmitt 31’, Chris Garcia 80'); Damir Kreilach (Milan Iloski 31’).
Sporting Kansas City (4-3-3) - Richard Sanchez (John Pulskamp 62’); Graham Zusi (Jaylin Lindsey 62’), Roberto Puncec (Botond Barath 62’), Matt Besler (Graham Smith 62’), Luis Martins (Amadou Dia 62’); Ilie Sanchez (Camden Riley 62’), Roger Espinoza (Gianluca Busio 62’), Gadi Kinda (Jake Davis 62’); Khiry Shelton (Johnny Russell 62’), Alan Pulido (Tyler Freeman 62’), Daniel Salloi (Cameron Duke 62’).
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SKC: Ilie Sanchez (Caution) 40’
RSL: Marcelo Silva (Caution) 72’
RSL: Aaron Herrera (Caution) 76’
SKC: Cameron Duke (Caution) 86’
