Real Salt Lake 2 at 2 Los Angeles Galaxy
October 14, 2023; Dignity Health Sports Park Carson,California
Real Salt Lake (13-12-8, 47 points); Los Angeles Galaxy (8-13-11, 35 points)
Man of the Match: **Diego Luna**’s heroic 76th minute goal allowed Real Salt Lake to escape Dignity Health Sports park unscathed. Throughout the match Luna’s superb vision and ability to pick out teammates in dangerous areas created multiple key chances for Real Salt Lake. Excellent ball control in the midfield and final third by Luna also prevented Los Angeles from winning the ball back in crucial areas of the pitch, while handing RSL the advantage in possession during the second half.
Telling Stats: In the 58th all time meeting between these two sides, Real Salt Lake managed to secure its second-consecutive draw against LA Galaxy while playing at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy have been able to hold off Real Salt Lake at home, having posted positive results in 10 of its last 13 home matches against the Claret-and-Cobalt.
What You Missed: Looking to set the tone of the match early LA Galaxy quickly began to bombard Real Salt Lake with chances. **Zac MacMath** made multiple stops including an impressive save in the seventh minute but his efforts were not enough to prevent the Galaxy from scoring seconds later. Daniel Aguirre laid a pass off to Dejan Joveljic who fired a shot past the ‘keeper handing the Galaxy the 1-0 advantage. An unmarked Douglas Costa would slot another goal past the RSL rearguard in the 34th minute to double the Galaxy lead. In the first minute of stoppage time the Claret-and-Cobalt were able to pull one back when **Anderson Julio** found the back of the net just before the half to cut the deficit in half. Real Salt Lake began the second half controlling the tempo of the match, but were unable to create clear looks at goal until Diego Luna punched the equalizer over the goalline in the 76th minute to draw even. RSL continued to look for the go ahead score exchanging several blows with Los Angeles but were unable to score by full time, drawing 2-2.
What’s Next: Real Salt Lake will travel to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park facing Colorado Rapids on Saturday, October 21 with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. MT. RSL has already lifted the Rocky Mountain Cup this season after defeating Colorado twice but will look to remain undefeated against its bitter rival on decision-day.
