RSL earns second draw of 2019, knots 1-1 with Chicago Fire

Real Salt Lake’s road points total improved by 15 percent with a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire — just their second of 2019.

Aleksandar Katai opened the match’s scoring in the fifth minute to put Chicago Fire up 1-0, finishing a soft free kick past Nick Rimando — a free kick softly given and a soft goal for Rimando to concede.

The 32nd minute saw a penalty called in RSL’s favor after a Mo Adams handball, and Albert Rusnak’s subsequent take equalized the match at 1-1, with his low-and-slow shot sending the goalkeeper the wrong direction.

Midway through the second half, Chicago had a reasonable penalty shout on a Kyle Beckerman tackle ignored by match official Baldomero Toledo.

Throughout the second half, RSL became increasingly static in possession, giving up on runs early and generally looking exhausted. Three substitutions didn’t make much difference — Sam Johnson entered for Corey Baird, Brooks Lennon for Sebastian Saucedo, and Nick Besler for Kyle Beckerman.

Chicago — defending at times as if they were looking for a point at home and attacking at others like three was vital — threatened from wide positions and put in some difficult crosses, but Rimando was equal to the task.

Then, with RSL being given a corner in stoppage time after a lengthy delay, the match ended with a ridiculous bit of controversy: Toledo blew the whistle before the team could take the kick.