Real Salt Lake Surrenders Another Late Goal In Draw With Minnesota United

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake has suffered yet another disappointing draw at home. This time against Minnesota United despite controlling the majority of the game.

“It is a cruel game, it is an unfair game and when you take the emotion out of the game and just sit back and analyze it I thought it was a solid performance,” Manager Freddy Juarez said post-game.

At halftime, however, it was announced that Jonathan “Jony” Menéndez has signed with the team from Argentine club Independiente. The club used Targeted Allocation Money to acquire the winger and he will be available for selection on June 18th when RSL returns to Rio Tinto Stadium to host the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Juarez only made one change to the lineup following the 2-2 draw on the road against Dallas a week ago, veteran MLS goalkeeper filled the void left by David Ochoa who is away on USMNT duty.

Damir Kreilach Never Disappoints

In the 13th minute, RSL was awarded a free kick 40 yards from goal. Pablo Ruiz stood over the ball as the center backs made their way to the edge of the area and while Minnesota was busy organizing Aaron Herrera had found a paddock of space down the right flank. Ruiz played Herrera the ball who took one quick touch before firing a low cross into the area in which Damir Kreilach flicked into the bottom right corner of the net.

Right on the money 🎯

1-0 | #RSLvMIN pic.twitter.com/a9AuFwBO2P

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 30, 2021

RSL got the early goal they were after, much to the frustration of Minnesota United.

Few opportunities presented themselves throughout the remainder of the first half.

RSL entered the main interval up a goal and looking like the team that was in control.

Second Half Heartbreak, Again

RSL returned to the pitch and picked up where they left off in the first half; in control. RSL looked dangerous on a number of occasions immediately following the halftime break but was unable to capitalize on said opportunities.

No better chance came when Kreilach pounced on a poor back pass to the Minnesota goalkeeper but was tripped up. The ball then fell to Anderson Julio who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fell over as well. The referee deemed that no foul had been committed and play continued.

Then, in the 71st minute, Juarez utilized his first substitution of the evening when he brought on Justin Meram for Anderson Julio. Meram made an immediate impact by flying around the pitch gifting RSL with a boost of energy.

Meram took a shot that required the fingertips of the United goalkeeper from keeping it out of the top right corner of the net. A beautiful shot, but an even better save.

Disaster struck in the 78th minute when Niko Hansen, who had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes, poked the ball past an outstretched MacMath and into the net for the game’s equalizer. United scored against the run of play and a collective sigh of disappointment ran through Rio Tinto Stadium.

right place, right time

you know how it is. pic.twitter.com/0T3KQfesGv

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 30, 2021

The equalizer gave Minnesota new life and The Loons looked adamant to steal three points and replicate what RSL did to them in the season opener a month ago.

RSL settled and were quickly on the attack yet again.

A barrage of attacking opportunities fell by the wayside as RSL ultimately ran out of time.

The match finished 1-1.

Next Match

RSL will endure a two-week break due to a FIFA International window and will not play until June 18th when it hosts Vancouver Whitecaps.

“I think it is always good for guys to get a little bit of a break,” Juarez said on the upcoming International break. “It will be good for the guys to spend some time with the family…it allows us to work on some things, to work with some individual players as opposed to the whole team.”

Albert Rusnak is expected to be called into Slovakia’s EURO squad and will likely miss the Vancouver fixture and the following away match against the Seattle Sounders.