Real Salt Lake 0 vs 0 New York City FC
June 10, 2023; America First Field; Sandy, Utah
Real Salt Lake (5-7-5, 20 points); NYCFC (4-7-6, 18 points)
Man of the Match: Starting the match with the captain’s armband, **Marcelo Silva** was clinical in RSL’s defense of goal as the team recorded its fourth clean sheet of the regular season. Silva’s pace and tracking ability were on full display in the first half, stunting any chance of NYCFC coming close to goal. In the 66th minute his high press forced a turnover at midfield which led to one of RSL’s best chances of the night.
Telling Stats: RSL has now drawn four games by a 0-0 score so far this season, matching last year’s total just halfway through the 2023 campaign. Real Salt Lake is now 4-2-1 against NYCFC since the Cityzens joined the league in 2015. In four matches in Sandy, Utah RSL is undefeated against NYCFC, the only team to not drop a match to the Boys in Blue in three or more matches at home. RSL finished the match with a whopping 2.7 total team xG, the highest expected goals total in a game this season without scoring.
What You Missed: Real Salt Lake dominated in all facets of play in the opening half, creating several chances on goal and keeping the visitors’ attack relatively quiet. Forward **Danny Musovski** had multiple 1v1 breakaways, but New York’s ‘keeper Luis Barraza stood tall to keep NYCFC in the game. Rubio Rubín also had several looks on net, his best opportunity coming in the 15th minute when **Zac MacMath** sent a long ball past City’s defense, but Rubín took a heavy touch and his poor-angled shot was saved with ease. Despite RSL leading in expected goals 1.8 to 0.3, the two teams remained nil-nil at the break. The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw much of the same, with RSL pushing for the game’s first goal to no avail. **Jefferson Savarino** hit the woodwork in the 66th minute, rattling the crossbar much to the dismay of the 20,301 fans in attendance. **Anderson Julio** thought he had the game-winner in the 82nd, but his attempt from inside the six was parried away by Barraza and his second shot went wide of frame. Julio was alone on goal in the 90th but took too many touches in front of net and Barraza corralled the ball. With five minutes of stoppage time, RSL pushed for one final chance but were unable to get another shot off on net and settled for a point.
What’s Next?: Real Salt Lake travels to the nation’s capital to face D.C. United next Saturday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The road trip continues to the Gateway City where RSL will take on new expansion franchise St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT.
