Real Salt Lake 0 at 0 Houston Dynamo
May 6, 2023; Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas_Real Salt Lake (3-5-2, 11 points); Houston Dynamo (4-1-4, 14 points)_
Man of the Match: **Zac MacMath** helped secure Real Salt Lake’s second clean sheet of the season with an impressive performance in goal against the Dynamo. MacMath made multiple saves throughout the match and guided RSL’s backline defensively to prevent a Houston goal. Houston had their best look at goal in the 55th minute when an unmarked Héctor Herrera fired a shot towards the left post, but MacMath made an outstretched diving save to keep the score even. The clean sheet by Real Salt Lake and MacMath is the first clean sheet to be recorded on the road since April 23, 2022 against Portland Timbers
Telling Stats: Real Salt Lake is the first team this season to come away with points from Shell Energy Stadium, ending Houston Dynamo’s four-game home win streak. RSL has not lost a game since 2017 at Shell Energy Stadium and are unbeaten by the Dynamo in their last 11 meetings in MLS competition (5W-0L-6D). This 11 game unbeaten streak is tied for the longest active streak of its kind in Club history.
What You Missed: Each team entered the match coming off of superb defensive performances, both having recorded a clean sheet in their previous MLS competitions. Despite Houston Dynamo holding the majority of possession in the first half there were plenty of chances created by both sides, as Real Salt Lake and the Dynamo had equal looks at goal recording seven shots each, but neither team was able to convert before heading to the locker rooms. The second half began much like the first with neither team being able to slot the ball between the posts as each side's backline displayed their defensive prowess. RSL began to create significant chances late in the match as substitutes Andrés Goméz and Diego Luna began to pressure the Dynamo. Real Salt Lake’s best look at goal came in stoppage time when Goméz beat his defender and fired a shot towards goal, forcing Dynamo keeper Steve Clark into a diving deflection. Despite impressive attacking efforts from both sides neither team was able to find the back of the net and the night ended deadlocked in a scoreless draw.
What’s Next?: Real Salt Lake has a busy schedule ahead, first resuming play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 10 at 8:30 p.m. MT against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. RSL will then continue Major League Soccer play at America First Field against LAFC on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. MT
