Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United FC entered their Group D clash with a chance to clinch a berth in the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 with a win.
The Western Conference foes moved a step closer, but ultimately were unable to reach the next round yet following a scoreless draw Friday night.
The best chance of the first half came in the closing seconds of stoppage time, when Robin Lod, who was played into the box by Ozzie Alonso, put his attempt off the near post. The rebound caromed out to Ethan Finlay, whose diving header was saved by Zac MacMath.
Things heated up five minutes into the second half as Pablo Ruiz pressed Tyler Miller into a diving save with a long-distance attempt. Lod was then denied again by MacMath, who dived to get a hand on his low shot.
MacMath also parried a clever Thomas Chacon chip four minutes from full time. Moments later, Sam Johnson rolled a shot wide of the far post.
Goals
- None
Man of the Match presented by Heineken
There wasn’t a lot for either goalkeeper to do on the night, but Zac MacMath was on top of his game. He made a really good diving save to deny Robin Lod early in the second half and parried a Thomas Chacon chip over the bar late.
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: It’s not the ideal situation for either team, but it’s far from the worst. A share of the points means both have four points from their first two matches — with RSL leading the group on goal differential — heading into the final day of the group stage.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: With four of his team's 10 shots, Robin Lod was arguably the most productive attacking player in the match. He also came the closest to netting the elusive only goal, but he put this attempt late in the first half off the post.
- YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IT: Albert Rusnak limping off the field in the first half was the last thing any RSL fan wanted to see, but the sideline report from ESPN’s Stefano Fusaro of a hip flexor wasn’t the worse case scenario.
Next Up
- RSL: Wednesday, July 22 vs. Sporting Kansas City (9 am ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada)
- MIN: Wednesday, July 22 vs. Colorado Rapids (10:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada)
