Real Salt Lake Drops To FC Dallas Following Second-Half Run
Sep 20, 2023, 9:36 PM | Updated: Sep 21, 2023, 1:44 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Following a cluster of second-half goals from FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake couldn’t claw back into the game and lost at home, 3-1.
Chicho Arango gave RSL a 1-0 lead just before the half. Dallas scored three unanswered goals after the break and never looked back.
Danny Musovski, RSL’s second-leading scorer, didn’t suit up for his third straight game due to contract negotiation issues.
tough one pic.twitter.com/NS5JVA1sjg
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 21, 2023
Reactions To The Loss
Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni addressed the loss and the second-half collapse in the post-game press conference.
“I think that we were in control of the game,” Mastroeni said. “After the first goal, it was almost like we switched off and started thinking too much about that moment. The recent run of form hasn’t been good enough. What we need at this moment is for guys to really step up.”
Jesus Ferreira records a brace as @FCDallas picks up three points at RSL. pic.twitter.com/XX3O6bqygK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2023
The loss definitely doesn’t help Real Salt Lake’s playoff hopes but seeing postseason action is still within grasp. Mastroeni remains confident in the club’s ability to get there.
“We’ve got five games left and we probably need to win three of the five. I think that we can do it,” Mastroeni said.
Real Salt Lake Falls To FC Dallas At Home
First Half
Coming off of a tough home loss to San Jose, RSL came out of the gates aggressively on Saturday.
They put two shots on goal in the fourth minute but Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes was able to make back-to-back saves.
Maagic Maarten pic.twitter.com/S1YoL1cpu0
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) September 21, 2023
Dallas was next to do some work in the attacking third.
They attempted three shots in a ten-minute stretch. None of the three were on goal.
Just after Dallas’ Paul Arriola missed his shot to the right, Braian Ojeda loaded up a shot from outside the box but Paes made another save.
perfect footy weather at the riot#RSLvDAL | @Chevron https://t.co/og5BIPWXec
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 21, 2023
While attempting to slide for the ball in the 23rd minute, Damir Kreilach’s foot caught a Dallas player’s knee.
The play was reviewed for a possible red card but the officials decided that it was just a yellow.
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) September 21, 2023
Real Salt Lake defender Marcelo Silva made a great play in the box in the 26th. He blocked a Dallas cross out of bounds to prevent a score.
After Dallas stole the ball on RSL’s side, Zac MacMath was caught out of goal. Jesús Ferreira attempted to chip a shot over the RSL goalkeeper.
MacMath made it back just in time and was able to slap the ball away with his left hand.
RSL fans cheering. 🤡 #RSL pic.twitter.com/cfzIMlJTxa
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) September 21, 2023
In the 42nd minute, Chicho Arango snuck a shot past Paes with a header off of a cross.
The goal was set up by Braian Ojeda.
RELATED: Chicho Arango Gives Real Salt Lake Lead Over Dallas Just Before Halftime
lean, mean, goal scoring machine ✌️😜 pic.twitter.com/Su9RRHI6Xg
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 21, 2023
With the score against Dallas, Arango has found the back of the net in four straight games.
Real Salt Lake held strong for the next 5 minutes and went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
HALFTIME.
Chicho gives RSL a 1-0 lead just before halftime to gain some breathing room. Kreilach narrowly avoids a red card after a review by the officials. Not having to play from behind is a good sign for the second 45′. ⚽#RSL #RSLvDAL pic.twitter.com/4U86pSVnii
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 21, 2023
Second Half
Real Salt Lake got the first good look after the break.
Justen Glad sent a shot from the center of the box but his attempt was blocked.
After the scoring opportunity, things started to go south for RSL.
First, a transition for Dallas ended in a goal by forward Paul Arriola.
Paul is heating up 🔥
Champagne football helps us bring this level! pic.twitter.com/6LXWn4aE5a
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) September 21, 2023
Just five minutes later, a foul by Silva in the box resulted in a penalty kick for Jesús Ferreira.
Ferreira put it high and MacMath dove to his left. Dallas took the lead at America First Field in the 62nd minute.
Dallas’ last regular season penalty kick came 56 games ago.
Jesus Ferreira completes the turnaround from the penalty spot. #DTID
From 1-0 down to 2-1 up in the second-half. 🔄 pic.twitter.com/SMVRhHkVAP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2023
On the other end, Jefferson Savarino sent a heater toward the right side of the goal in an attempt to tie it up and revive the crowd. Dallas’ goalkeeper made an impressive diving save.
A turnover near midfield in the 71st minute would prove to be fatal for RSL.
Jesús Ferreira ran the break and received a pass from Jáder Obrian to record a brace. Three unanswered second-half goals for Dallas.
Jesus Ferreira x2! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Three unanswered from @FCDallas pic.twitter.com/5XtZ1DczWA
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2023
Anderson Julio got out in front of the pack with the ball but was called offsides.
As the final ten minutes of regulation approached, RSL looked antsy to make something happen.
With two games at home in the middle of a tight playoff race, hitting the road with six extra points could have clinched the club a playoff spot.
They couldn’t create any good looks before regulation ended and eight minutes of stoppage time was added.
8 more minutes pic.twitter.com/bRXzHYKbBW
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 21, 2023
Real Salt Lake turned up the intensity in stoppage time but it came too late.
RSL attempted four shots in three minutes. The first two were blocked, the third missed, and the fourth was saved.
Real Salt Lake drops their second straight at home to Dallas, 3-1.
How To Watch Real Salt Lake
All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2023 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
