SANDY, Utah (Saturday, September 10, 2022) – Real Salt Lake’s (11-9-10, 43 points) eight shots on goal were not enough to find the gamebreaker in the Club’s 0-0 draw with D.C. United in the inaugural match at America First Field. Goalkeeper Zac MacMath made three saves to give the team its 10th clean sheet of the year
On a historic night at the newly minted America First Field, Real Salt Lake looked to kick-start the new era for the Club with a victory. Despite the festivities of a new stadium naming partnership, the team got off to a slow start, trading blows in the midfield with an aggressive D.C. United. RSL began to gain momentum, with a flurry of break-away chances, but all failed to land on frame.
Then in the 40th minute a free kick opportunity from Pablo Ruiz forced former RSL Homegrown ‘keeper David Ochoa to make a full stretched save to push the ball out of the top corner and prevent what appeared to be a sure goal. Just before the halftime break, forward Sergio Cordova headed down a shot that appeared to cross over the line, but the referee determined that Ochoa was able to make the save, leaving the two teams scoreless with 45 minutes left to play.
With the start of the second half Real Salt Lake continued press forward towards goal, with consistent pressure on United’s defensive half, but the proverbial levee refused to break. In the 72nd minute D.C.United generated two of its best chances of the night, but MacMath was able to wrap them up safely, ending the threats. In the final 10 minutes of the match RSL pushed forward, putting together a string of chances, but none with enough oomph to get past United’s defensive wall, ending the match in a 0-0 deadlock.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake continues its three-game week with a Wednesday night match against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m. MT. The team will then return to America First Field where they will host FC Cincinnati for Hispanic Heritage Night on Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. MT.
NOTES:
- Bobby Wood (abductor) and Damir Kreilach (back) were unavailable due to injury.
- Forward Danny Musovski made his RSL debut as a second-half substitute, becoming the 12 player to make his debut this season and the 190th in Club history.
Match: Real Salt Lake vs D.C. United
Date: September 10, 2022
Venue: America First Field; Sandy, Utah
Weather: Clear and 75 degrees
Attendance: 20,487
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
D.C. United 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva; Andrew Brody; Maikel Chang ((Anderson Julio 68’), Pablo Ruiz, Jasper Löffelsend (Braian Ojeda 68’), Justin Meram (Danny Musovski 77’); Jefferson Savarino, Sergio Cordova (Rubio Rubin 68’)
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Johan Kappelhof, Bryan Oviedo, Diego Luna, Scott Caldwell
D.C. United (3-5-2): David Ochoa; Andy Najar, Donovan Pines, Matai Akinmboni; Russell Canouse (Martin Rodriguez 59’), Chris Durkin (Sofiane Djeffal 59’), Jackson Hopkins, Victor Palsson, Ravel Morrison; Ola Kamara (Miguel Berry 77’), Christian Benteke
Subs not used: Rafael Romo, Chris Odoi-Astem, Drew Skundrich, Kimarni Smith, Tony Alfaro, Sami Guediri
Stats Summary: RSL / D.C.
Shots: 16 / 8
Shots on Goal: 8 / 3
Saves: 3 / 7
Corner Kicks: 10 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:D.C.: Chris Durkin (caution) 27’
D.C.: Matai Akinboni (caution) 40’
D.C.: David Ochoa (caution) 61’
RSL: Marcelo Silva (caution) 65’
RSL: Aaron Herrera (caution) 89’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Kevin Broadley
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Adam Garner
4th Official: Ismail Elfath
VAR: Timothy Ford
