By Isabella Rubis
Sunday, March 23 2025
Returning home Saturday after a much-needed win in Houston, Real Salt Lake fell to FC Dallas, 0-1, in what can only be explained as a frustrating loss for fans and players alike.
While the outcome may not have reflected the emotions of those on the bench and in the crowd, one RSL player's resilience kept the game within reach for all 90 minutes plus stoppage. For RSL, it was the newcomer and Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral who was no doubt the standout for the Claret-and-Cobalt at America First Field.
Guardian of the Goal: An Odds Defying Save
Real Salt Lake arrived at Saturday's match shorthanded, international duty calling on game-changing playmakers Diego Luna (USA) and Dominik Marczuk (Poland), both as well as Captain Emeka Eneli, who did not dress due to back spasms suffered a day prior. The absence of these three key components for RSL were compounded by the loss of striker Ariath Piol in the 23rd minute, after his red card adjudication.
With approximately 70 minutes left in the contest, Real Salt Lake was left to play a man down. Veteran ‘keeper Rafael Cabral kept the energy high and showed the leadership necessary for his team during a turbulent contest. Cabral's heart for the game is never questioned, the lone RSL player to appear in all 630 minutes of the 2025 campaign across multiple competitions stepping up massively in the 34th minute.
As Dallas midfielder and former MLS MVP Luciano Acosta set up for his penalty kick, Cabral stood tall, doing his best to prepare for the action that is statistically successful more than 80% of the time. In a moment of pure brilliance, Cabral reacted with lightning-quick reflexes and anticipation, diving to his left and stretching to make the perfect save. Acosta’s ball ricocheted off his gloves, the crowd roaring with both surprise and approval. Saving a penalty kick is the moment every goalkeeper dreams of — the ultimate test of nerves, skill and determination.
While the deflection kept the scorecard even, FC Dallas was able to find the back of the net just seconds before the halftime whistle, entering the locker room down both a man and a goal.
The second half saw several more incredible saves from Cabral to hold the Dallas visitors within reach as RSL pressed forward in desperate search of an equalizer. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni made notable substitutions in the 66th minute, inserting defender Alexandros Katranis and midfielder Lachlan Brook to make immediate impacts, each creating viable shots on goal. While there was certainly no lack of effort, RSL fell short for the second consecutive home game this March.
Real Salt Lake heads to the Upper Midwest this weekend, taking on last year’s playoff foe, Minnesota United FC, Saturday at Allianz Field. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 pm MST on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
