There’s a saying that sometimes a tie feels like a win. Real Salt Lake on Wednesday did their best to prove that sometimes, even a loss can feel like a win, too.
Nine-man RSL fell to the New York Red Bulls 1-0 Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena, succumbing to a goal in the fourth minute by forward Mike Grella.
RSL didn't help their cause after Javier Morales and defender Demar Philips were sent off, but the remaining players on the field put in an admirable performance to staunch further bleeding and deny New York any more goal celebrations.
After Grella put the home side up early with a wide open shot at the back post, RSL began to muster their reaction. But then the complexion of the match changed completely just five minutes before the halftime break.
Acting RSL captain Morales tackled New York's Felipe Martins streaking toward goal, in the process earning a straight red card from referee David Gantar for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
“I honestly believe, 10 versus 11, we were going to win this game.” RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said after the match. “We talked that the chances were going to show themselves, that we couldn’t go chasing it too early and give up a second [goal]. The way they [RSL players] started the half was unbelievable. Then things changed obviously when we got our second red card.”
RSL were energetic coming out of the halftime break, but suffered another mental lapse in the 55th minute.
That's when Philips showcased some brilliant individual defending against Grella, poking away the ball, only to follow it up with a late, sloppy tackle on Connor Lade. Gantar again reached for his back pocket and showed the Jamaican international a red card for endangering the safety of an opponent, bringing the visitors down to just nine men.
“Any red, the response is huge,” RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando said later. “In the first half, we were a little frustrated going into the locker room the way we were playing. But that second red really got us.”
It looked like it was only a matter of time before RSL would be buried by an avalanche of goals, but it never happened. Rimando & Co. denied New York again and again, playing tenacious defense for the remaining 39 minutes of the match. Rimando had seven total saves and the RSL defense blocked another nine shots.
RSL’s attack, however, was unable to mount any serious threats on the Red Bulls’ goal. But the team still showed a spirited effort and midfielder John Sterzer and others were seen collapsing to the ground as the final whistle blew.
“I'm very proud of these guys,” Rimando said. “The heat, the circumstances, going down two guys and just battling to the 94th minute, I'm just extremely proud of these guys.
“I think we showed a lot of character out there. Yes, we didn’t get three points, but to see these young kids go out there and fight they way they did, in an away game, just a lot of respect for those guys in front of me.”
Tyler Gray covers Real Salt Lake for MLSsoccer.com.
