Real Salt Lake Steal Three Points For Only Second Time In Club History On The Road Against Dallas

Oct 27, 2021, 8:04 PM | Updated: Oct 28, 2021, 9:10 am

Albert Rusnak #11 of Real Salt Lake looks on in the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on August 29, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

BY TOM HACKETT

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake left it until the final seconds to steal all three points but were able to pinch the victory and continue their fight for playoff acceptance.

Interim manager Pablo Mastroeni opted to start Jonathan Menéndez at the right wing-back position. It was Menéndez’s first start since September 15th. Maikel Chang started on the other side while Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, and Justen Glad rounded out the back three. Nick Besler and Everton Luiz played in the middle of the park with the captain Albert Rusnák in his preferred position. Bobby Wood got the start alongside Damir Kreilach up top.

😠😠😠😠😠
🥷😠😠😠😠😠 pic.twitter.com/souVRTZLAG

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 28, 2021

Real Salt Lake entered the fixture having lost 1-0 on the road last weekend to Chicago while FC Dallas drew 2-2 despite being up 2-0 on the road against LA Galaxy.

For FC Dallas, star striker Ricardo Pepi began on the bench but fellow USMNT teammate Jesús Ferreira started at the center-attacking position. FC Dallas had not won a game since August 29th when they beat the worst-placed Western Conference foe Austin FC 5-3 in a shootout.

Rough Start

FC Dallas began on the front foot and got off to a great start peppering David Ochoa’s goal. But Real Salt Lake was able to respond and find the football slowly gaining tempo of the game.

Although, all of the good work early by Real Salt Lake was undone in the 20th minute when Ochoa flew off his line but was unable to get to the ball in time only for Dallas captain Matthew Hedges climbed and headered the ball into the back of the net.

come for the Justin Che assist, and stay for the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/SffkL9FQtN

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 28, 2021

Then, five minutes later FC Dallas scored again but fortunately, the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside.

FC Dallas, following the goal, had all of the momentum. In the 30th minute, FC Dallas played a cross in front of goal but the ball was deflected off Justen Glad and cleared.

Minutes later, Dallas striker Franco Jara found himself one-on-one with Ochoa but a heavy touch forced Jara to foul Ochoa and Real Salt Lake survived another scare.

Fortunately, Bobby Wood forced FC Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer to make his first save of the evening when he touched the ball with his left thigh before hitting the ball with his laces on the volley but Maurer was easily able to grasp the football with both hands.

Maurer made his second save of the first half when Kreilach headered the ball from the six-yard line off a corner kick, but the shot was deflected and Maurer again made a simply save just in front of his goal line.

Remarkably, FC Dallas led the shot tally 15 to 2 at halftime, 5 shots on target to 1, yet Real Salt Lake led the possession tally 57% to 43%.

Don’t Call It A Comeback

Mastroeni opted to make a handful of substitutes throughout the second half but none were bigger than Justin Meram who had an amazing impact. He hit the woodwork shortly coming on.

Anderson Julio also played a pivotal role off the bench, his speed stretched FC Dallas and opened up multiple passing lanes for the attacking threats of Real Salt Lake.

To nobody’s surprise, Kreilach equalized in the 80th minute following a superb cross by Justin Meram from the left flank. Kreilach battled for position before touching home the equalizer. Real Salt Lake was back in contention for all three points.

No. 15 of the year and WE'RE LEVEL IN FRISCO pic.twitter.com/BDNfApGOOi

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 28, 2021

Then remarkably, Albert Rusnák played a one-two with Meram before hitting the ball with his first touch on his left foot and finding the bottom right corner of the net.

Real Salt Lake stole all three points at the death securing only their second away victory at Toyota Stadium in club history.