Real Salt Lake were on the way to a big road win in their 2018 season opener. Then disaster struck via one of their players.
A late own goal from Marcelo Silva saw RSL settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night. Silva's botched clearance came in the 86th minute after some good work down the right from Maximiliano Urruti, and it canceled out Joao Plata's first-half strike.
Plata found the opener and RSL's first goal of the season in the 25th minute, collecting a ball down the left and dribbling forward before cutting and slotting the ball home. It did not stand as the winner, however, as Silva failed to properly handle Urruti's low cross.
Goals
Three Things
- The Big Picture: Real Salt Lake will rue their inability to close out the game, and FC Dallas will be disappointed to have dropped points at home. It is Week 1, but results like this one can prove to be the difference between making and not making the playoffs at the end of the season.
- Moment of the Match: In search of an equalizer, Dallas created a few good chances on Saturday. They did not find it, though, until Urruti created something out of practically nothing by dribbling down the right side of the penalty area and unleashing a dangerous low cross that Silva flubbed into the back of the Salt Lake net.
- Man of the Match: That RSL were even leading as late as they were was due to Rimando. The veteran goalkeeper denied several FC Dallas attackers and made five saves in the game, including one right on the goal line after scrambling to get across his net.
Next Up
- DAL: Sunday, March 18 – vs. Seattle Sounders (5 pm ET | MLS LIVE)
- RSL: Saturday, March 10 – vs. LAFC (3:30 pm ET | Univision, MLS LIVE; DAZN in Canada)
