Real Salt Lake Come From Behind To Pinch A Point Against Reigning MLS Cup Champions

Sep 2, 2020, 9:54 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returned home, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sporting world, against the Seattle Sounders in a game that provided fireworks from the get-go.

There were 4,026 fans were in attendance.

“It felt amazing, to be honest. I had my parents up in the suite,” Glad said during his post-game press conference regarding the limited fans that were in attendance.

RSL dominated the opening ten minutes of the match, showcasing their impressive and daring passing display that forced Seattle to defend deep into their own half. The claret and cobalt were in full control of the opening portion of the match.

One Costly Mistake

However, as is the case with professional sports, one mistake can be detrimental and Aaron Herrera learnt the hard way. In the 29th minute, the least dangerous cross penetrated RSL’s backline and in an attempt to control the ball with his chest, Herrera stuck out his right arm and the ball ricochet off his bicep.

A penalty was given with very little arguments coming from the RSL players and coaches.

As expected, Nicolas Lodeiro put the visitors in the lead beating Andrew Putna to his left.

The goal certainly settled the nerves for the visitors as the remainder of the first half was played on even terms. Seattle had found its footing.

Freddy Juarez made a bold move at halftime bringing on the most prized player to ever don a Real Salt Lake kit, Giuseppe Rossi.

Rossi’s impact was immediate as the New Jersey-born, Italian national team star, brought a sense of calm and composure with him to the pitch.

The Rossi Effect

Shortly following Rossi’s arrival, RSL scored the equalizer in the 48th minute. The goal came off the head of Justen Glad from an Albert Rusnak corner.

“To help the team get a point feels good,” Glad said after scoring his first goal in four years.

As was the case four days ago against Portland, anytime RSL found a way to equalize they quickly surrendered their lead.

That trend continued this evening against the Sounders.

MEOW MEOW BEANS pic.twitter.com/3GPKYK1EP2

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 3, 2020

Lead Surrendered, Again

In the 69th minute, Alex Roldan made a run down the right-wing dancing around the attempted slide-tackle from Corey Baird and finding space on the corner of the box and the touchline. His cross was just as impressive as his run as he pin-pointed a back-post cross that found the head of Yeimar Gómez who didn’t leave stride and buried the ball into the ground and into the back of the net.

Andrew Putna had no chance.

Juarez was forced to make yet another attacking change. This time bringing on Sam Johnson, one of the heroes from the Portland game, and taking off Justin Meram who served his role admirably in the 70 minutes that he played.

In the 81st minute, RSL was an offside foot from going down two goals after Jordan Morris found Raul Rudiaz with a devilish, flat cross. Rudiaz scored only for the goal to be overturned by the nearside official as Morris was deemed offside in a correct decision.

Pablo Ruiz, Take A Bow Young Man

Pablo Ruiz put the league on notice with a left strike for the ages in the 85th minute.

Following a Seattle clearance from a corner kick, Ruiz nestled the ball to his left foot. He took one step and put his laces directly through the ball. Stefan Frei did not move as he watched from afar the strike put a hole into the top left corner of the net.