Real Salt Lake dropped the first game of its 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoff Round One, best-of-three series at America First Field Tuesday night in heartbreaking fashion, a 0-0 regulation draw after 90 minutes pierced by a 4-5 loss in the shootout tiebreaker. With a tense and deliberate attacking performance that saw RSL unable to crack a low 5- and sometimes 6-back defensive block, the RSL rearguard and netminder Zac MacMath came up big when it mattered to keep the match level. Veteran MLS ‘keeper MacMath put together a performance that Claret-and-Cobalt Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni described as “The Zac I know,” Mastroeni later added “He stood on his head back there for us.”
At the end of regulation, zero’s showed on the scoreboard, with MacMath notching his seventh clean sheet of the year, his third in his last four matches. RSL extended its unbeaten run to seven games courtesy of MacMath’s season-high seven saves, matching his total in the 5-2 home win on May 18 vs. COL. Secondary statistical outlets rated MacMath’s performance at 9.1 (sofaascore) and 9.0 (fotmob), earning him widespread Man of the Match honors, a nearly unanimous conclusion across the soccer globe.
Game Stats: Zac MacMath
Minutes: 90 / Saves: 7 / XGA: 1.4 / PKS: 1 / Passes: 34 / Pass %: 87.2
Key Moments
After a quiet first half, the Loons ramped up its second-half attack to come out of its defensive shell and become much more aggressive, pressing higher up into RSL’s back line. MacMath was tested early after the break, finding himself in a 2v1 situation in the 47’ after RSL turned the ball over in possession. MNUFC attacker Robin Lod dished the ball to a wide open Kelvin Yeboah on his left, who fired on target. MacMath made the save, recovering to the near post and punching out the trouble into RSL possession.
Twenty-four minutes later, MacMath found himself in a similar situation as the Loons broke down the Claret-and-Cobalt defensive lines with vertical runs. Receiving the ball at the top of the box, Yeboah slipped a cross to an onrushing Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi just outside the six-yard box. MacMath decided to come off his line scrambling to meet Oluwasey, stuffing the chip attempt with a right-hand save.
With two big-time saves already in the second half, MacMath’s key moment of the match still awaited. In the 83rd minute, MNUFC’s Yeboah sliced and diced to split two RSL defenders cutting inside from the left wing. Finding himself just outside the six, Yeboah went for goal, firing towards the far post. MacMath dove to his weak side with outstretched arms to push the ball out of danger, momentarily buying himself time to get back in position. MNUFC attacker Bongokihle Hlongwane jumped on the loose ball, an uncontrolled touch buying MacMath enough time to scramble to the near post, where he met Hlongwane’s rocket directly in the midsection from point blank range. A Minnesota shot off target would end the sequence and inch RSL closer to the scoreless draw.
After both sides buried their first two penalty attempts, Loons captain Michael Boxall stepped up to the spot. Firing a low shot targeting MacMath’s left side, MacMath chose correctly to make the diving save with his outstretched left arm, the first and ultimately only save of the shootout.
What Comes Next
Real Salt Lake takes the return trip into enemy territory for Game 2 of the best-of-three series, hoping to return Minnesota’s favor and steal an away result to extend the series and bring things back to America First Field for what would be the decisive Game 3, to be played on Friday, November 8 (if necessary). Game 3 tickets are available now at rsl.com/tickets/.
RSL Centerback Brayan Vera will rejoin the squad for Game 2 in Minnesota, after serving his three-game suspension as a result of violent conduct during the October 2’ regular-season match against MNUFC.
Game 2 watch parties will be held at Beer Bar in downtown Salt Lake City this Saturday as kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. MT.
