RSL, Minnesota tie 1-1 in lackluster showing

It took some good luck and an incredible Marcelo Silva strike, but Real Salt Lake walked away from a home match with a single point against Minnesota United.

It was not a particularly exciting way for RSL to proceed after a 4-0 victory against Philadelphia Union the preceding week.

As the match entered stoppage time, a series of uncharacteristic errors from RSL’s Nick Rimando nearly cost the team points, with the veteran goalkeeper pinging a low pass directly to Minnesota, then missing a shot being taken, only to have it ping off the post. It was extremely fortunate for Real Salt Lake that they didn’t concede in that moment, but serious questions will be asked about the team’s inability to clear their lines.

Marcelo Silva leveled the score in the 71st minute, volleying home a Jefferson Savarino cross from just about the penalty dot to bring some salvation to the Rio Tinto crowd. It was as good a goal as he’s scored. His shot was nearly controlled by Minnesota United’s goalkeeper, Vito Mannone, who will be disappointed to have let that one through.

Minnesota United opened the scoring in the 56th minute, with Darwin Quintero scoring a back-post tap-in from a corner kick to put the Loons up 1-0. He capitalized on a particularly poor run of defending from Real Salt Lake, who had largely fallen asleep at the wheel.

The first half saw little meaningful action, with the majority of the match being played in the midfield — and poorly. Coming off the back of a 4-0 victory at home, it was clearly not invigorating to a sun-soaked crowd.

Lineups

Real Salt Lake

Rimando
Lennon, Silva, Glad, Toia
Beckerman, Luiz
Saucedo (58’ Baird), Rusnak (77’ Plata), Savarino
Kreilach

Bench: Ochoa, Holt, Mulholland, Besler, Plata, Baird, Schmitt

Minnesota United

Mannone
Métanire, Opara, Boxall, Gasper
Gregus, Dotson
Finlay, Toye (79’ Danladi), Molino (61’ Ibarra)
Quintero (87’ Olum)

Bench: Shuttleworth, Kallman, Schüller, Ibarra, Martin, Danladi, Olum