REAL SALT LAKE OPENS 2020 SEASON WITH SCORELESS DRAW AGAINST ORLANDO CITY SC
Zac MacMath Earns First Shutout for RSL While Giuseppe Rossi Makes RSL and MLS Debut; RSL Hosts New York Red Bulls March 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium
ORLANDO, FL (Saturday, February 29, 2020) – Real Salt Lake (0-0-1, 1 point) played to a scoreless draw against Orlando City SC on Saturday in front 25,527 fans at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Through the opening half, the RSL defense withstood direct chances into its defensive third from the hosts, keeping Orlando off the scoreboard. RSL saw its lone shot on goal in the first half come from Aaron Herrera who found a small window of space at the top of the penalty area to unleash a shot that skipped into the goalkeeper’s hands, keeping the score level at the halftime break.
RSL turned the aggressor in the second half as Head Coach Freddy Juarez brought on forwards Corey Baird, Justin Meram and Giuseppe Rossi. The visitors held possession with a purpose, attacking OCSC with each shot taken being deflected out for a corner or counterattack. As RSL pressed for the match-winning goal, the backline stood firm to earn the scoreless draw and shutout to open its 16th campaign in Major League Soccer.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns home to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match will kick off at noon. Fans can purchase tickets at RSL.com.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
None.
NOTES:
- RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez began his first full season at the helm after serving as Academy Head Coach (2010-2015), Real Monarchs Head Coach (2015-2016), Real Salt Lake Assistant Coach (2017-2019) and Real Salt Lake Interim Head Coach (2019).
- Forward Sam Johnson and midfielder Kyle Beckerman were unavailable due to injury. Johnson is recovering from off-season knee surgery while Beckerman suffered a foot injury in the final preseason match on February 22.
- Midfielder Everton Luiz was unavailable while serving a one-match suspension after receiving a red card in RSL’s Western Conference Semifinal match against Seattle Sounders FC.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Orlando City SC
Date: February 29, 2020
Venue: Exploria Stadium; Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 25,527
Weather: Sunny and 65 degrees
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Orlando City SC 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Zac MacMath; Justen Glad (Corey Baird 63’), Marcelo Silva, Nedum Onuoha, Donny Toia; Nick Besler, Justin Portillo (Giuseppe Rossi 79’); Aaron Herrera, Albert Rusnák, Tate Schmitt (Justin Meram 70’); Damir Kreilach
Subs not used:Andrew Putna, Pablo Ruiz, Maikel Chang, Douglas Martinez
Orlando City SC (4-3-3): Pedro Gallese; Ruan (Andres Perea 90’+2), Antonio Carlos, Robin Jansson, Joao Mountinho; Mauricio Pereyra, Jhegson Mendez, Junior Urso, Chris Mueller; Benji Michel (Robinho 65’), Tesho Akindele (Santiago Patino 84’)
Subs not used: Brian Rowe, Kamal Miller, Rodrigo Schlegel, Joey Dezart
Stats Summary: ORL / RSL
Shots: 9 / 5
Shots on Goal: 2 / 1
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 12 / 5
Fouls: 11 / 13
Offside: 3 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL – Justen Glad (caution) 41’
ORL – Mauricio Pereyra (caution) 75’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
4th Official: Marcos de Oliviera
VAR: Sorin Stoica
AVAR: Kyle Longville
