Damir Kreilach’s late-game header earns RSL a 2-2 draw in Dallas

Real Salt Lake earned a point on the road in Dallas thanks to a late-game equalizer from Damir Kreilach that salvaged the game for the visiting side. A first-half goal from Rubio Rubin got things started off while two straight goals from Dallas looked like they would bury RSL.

Tonight’s game saw the return of Aaron Herrera after missing two games with an injury. Andrew Brody got the start on the other side after a strong showing in Herrera’s absence, moving Toia to the bench.

Rubio Rubin opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute when Nick Besler collected the ball in the attacking third off a turnover. He tapped it to Rubin who did a quick spin move around Matt Hedges and was able to slot it in past Pablo Maurer on the ground, putting RSL up 1-0 in the first half.

Marcelo Silva gave up a penalty kick in the 42nd minute when he went in for a tackle on a Dallas attacker when he went for the ball but took him out with his knee from behind. Franco Jara stepped to the spot and calmly sent the ball into the right corner while David Ochoa went the opposite way, tying the game at 1-1 just before halftime.

RSL went into the halftime break trailing in the majority of the stats columns as Dallas outshot them 18-4 overall, with 7-4 on frame while controlling 68% of possession.

Dallas took the lead in the 83rd minute when Ryan Hollingshead collected the ball on the far side of the 18 and ran toward goal. He let a shot rip toward Ochoa, but it took a slight deflection off of Justen Glad’s leg. It was just enough to catch Ochoa off guard and the ball sailed past him, putting the home side up 2-1 with just minutes left to play.

Damir Kreilach immediately got one back as he headed in a ball sent in by Aaron Herrera, sending it past Maurer and grabbing the equalizer right away for the visitors with just four minutes left in regulation time.

The game ended on equal footing as both sides pick up a point, and RSL narrowly escaped yet another loss in Texas. They’ll return home to take on Minnesota United next week at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Scoring

20’ - RSL - Rubio Rubin (Nick Besler)
43’ - DAL - Franco Jara (PK)
83’ - DAL - Ryan Hollingshead
86’ - RSL - Damir Kreilach (Aaron Herrera)

Discipline

24’ - DAL - Andres Ricaurte (yellow card)
69’ - DAL - Bressan (yellow card)
89’ - RSL - Justen Glad (yellow card)
90+2’ - RSL - Aaron Herrera (yellow card)

Lineups

Real Salt Lake

Ochoa; Herrera, Silva, Glad, Brody; Besler, Ruiz; Julio, Kreilach, Rusnak; Rubin

FC Dallas

Maurer; Munjoma, Hedges, Martinez, Hollingshead; Tessman, Acosta; Obrian, Ricaurte, Vargas; Jara