An early goal from Cristian Casseres Jr. looked to be enough for the New York Red Bulls to secure their second straight win of the 2020 MLS season, until Damir Kreilach grabbed an equalizer for Real Salt Lake, slipping in a goal in the first minute of stoppage time.
After an RSL corner, the Red Bulls hit hard on the break in the 15th minute. RSL's defense attempted to head the ball away, but Casseres Jr. latched onto the it and drove it into the bottom corner of the net from distance, just eluding RSL keeper Zac MacMath.
Things heated up by the the 30th minute, however, when somehow Kyle Duncan denied Kreilach an equalizer off the line. Barely five minutes later, Sean Davis did the same to RSL's Corey Baird.
It seemed substitute Douglas Martinez came to the home team's rescue in the 70th minute, the beneficiary of a well-worked team goal that found him unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box. However, Video Review ruled that the RSL player handled the ball after it came off his head.
RSL continued to press hard for the equalizer, and it finally came a minute into stoppage time, when Kreilach scored his first of the season to ensure his team secured their hard-fought point.
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Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Last season, Rio Tinto Stadium was a fortress where RSL won 12 matches. Just one point may not have been what Freddy Juarez's team was looking for, but considering they had more possession, better passing accuracy and more shots on goal — yet still weren’t managing to get one on the scoreboard — they’ll likely be thrilled with this start of their home campaign. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls will look to be patching up what often looked like a disjointed, scrambling defense if they want to continue making progress in 2020.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It can be nothing but the stoppage-time goal from Kreilach.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: And again, it could be no one but Kreilach, who ensured that RSL’s fortress wouldn’t crumble on their first home outing of the 2020 season. With 12 goals last season, the Croatian showed he’s prepared to rake in the goals this year, as well.
Next Up
- RSL: Saturday, March 14 at Columbus Crew SC (5 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- RBNY: Sunday, March 15 at Minnesota United FC | (7 pm ET | FS1, FOX Sports App, FOX Deportes in US; TSN1, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
