One of only three teams to defeat D.C. United this season, Real Salt Lake ensured they would not lose to the MLS overall leader in league play this season, coming back to claim a 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium on Saturday evening.
A spectacular free kick from Freddy Adu just before halftime put United into the lead, but a Chris Klein goal from a brilliant assist by Jeff Cunningham midway through the second half provided the equalizer and a vital point for Real's playoff hopes.
D.C. United, who have already clinched a playoff spot and are runaway leaders in the Eastern Conference, were forced to assemble a makeshift lineup due to accumulated yellow card suspensions for playmaker Christian Gomez, forward Alecko Eskandarian, center back Bobby Boswell and a red card suspension for winger Joshua Gros.
Peter Nowak's starting XI featured three starters - rookies Rod Dyachenko and Stephen deRoux, along with recently-signed Argentinean Mathias Donnet - who had seen the MLS field for a combined 52 minutes all season. Additionally, goalkeeper Troy Perkins - who leads MLS with a 1.04 goals-against-average - did not dress for the game, giving way to Nick Rimando - who had been United's regular 'keeper since 2002 until Perkins supplanted him this season.
Despite the improvised lineup, the home side looked crisp and in control in the opening minutes of the match, easily moving the ball across the field and around Real.
In the ninth minute, deRoux pounced on a mis-touch by Real defender Kevin Novak on the right side of the penalty box and darted in towards goal, but slammed his shot into the near side netting.
Jeff Cunningham almost broke through towards goal shortly later making a deft move past a United defender, only to have Brandon Prideaux make a lunging tackle in the penalty area to stop him from adding to his league-leading tally of 15 goals.
DeRoux, who just two years ago was playing at local Prince George's Community College, was a live wire for the Black-and-Red on the left side. He again showed his speed by getting by Novak in the area, his shot once again slamming into the side netting.
United had another near miss in the 24th minute, as Adu took a delicate back heel from Dyachenko at the top right hand side of the box, cut the ball back and launched a curling left-footed shot towards the back post that just cleared the bar and foretold of things to come from the young star.
Moments later United almost struck again as a right-footed Donnet cross from the left soared over the Real defense and goalkeeper Scott Garlick to an open Bryan Namoff at the back post, who failed to steer the ball into the net for the score.
Andy Williams tried to make the highlight reel off a Jason Kreis cross a few minutes later. After receiving the ball in the left side of the penalty area with his back to the goal, Williams flicked the ball over his and Donnet's head and then hit a one-time right-footed volley that just sailed over the crossbar.
Real were lucky when a wide-open Jaime Moreno uncharacteristically fumbled the ball at the penalty spot after receiving a chip from Freddy Adu and was unable to get off a shot before the Salt Lake defenders converged.
Real defender Willis Forko did well in the closing minutes of the first half to shut down Freddy Adu on the right wing as the young phenom tried a number of quick step-overs and tried to race around Forko to no avail.
However, the 17-year-old Adu could not be held back for long as he gave the home side a 1-0 lead just before the end of the half. He was hacked down by Andy Williams some 25 yards from goal as he received a pass, giving the home team a dangerous free kick in the 44th minute.
Adu then calmly stepped up to the ball and hit a curling left-footed strike over the wall and into the upper right-hand side of the net for his second goal of the year as Garlick was left standing helplessly as he watched the ball sail past.
Just a minute into the second half, Moreno almost doubled the United lead when he caught Garlick off his line and attempted a chip over the Real 'keeper from about 25 yards, but the wily forward's attempt floated well over the bar.
Real Salt Lake found some life a few minutes later as Williams slotted a through ball for Real forward Jason Kreis on the right side of the box. His right-footed attempt was pushed out by Rimando. Just seconds later, Rimando made a diving save from midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy's drive from 18 yards out.
Real's pressure would pay off in the 65th minute when Jeff Cunningham showed why he is a leading candidate for league most valuable player honors. After receiving the ball 25 yards from goal on the right side, Cunningham pushed the ball past Prideaux and left the defender in his dust. Rimando came off his line, but underestimated Cunningham's quickness as the speedy striker collected the ball a split second before Rimando arrived.
Cunningham quickly turned away from Rimando and poked a pass back to midfielder Klein, who neatly curled the ball into the far corner of the open net for his sixth goal of the year to tie the game.
Real were lucky to escape a penalty in the 70th minute when a United cross clearly banged off the arm of Forko in the box. Referee Baldomero Toledo, though, waved play on.
United midfielder Clyde Simms struck a wicked ball in the closing minutes of the game, but Garlick made a spectacular diving save to preserve the well-deserved tie for Real, who snatched four out of six points in the season series from United after two late penalties gave them a 2-1 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium in July.
Real's next two games are no easier, as they face FC Dallas - who lead the Western Conference - twice in successive weeks, while also keeping one eye on the out-of-town scoreboard.
Jordan Brown is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
