Sports stats



MLS NEXT Pro Real Monarchs

Real Salt Lake Settle for 0-0 Draw Against New York City FC

June 10, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake (5-7-5, 20 points, 10th West) settled for a 0-0 draw against New York City FC to close out another unbeaten three-game week, one which saw the team earn a road victory last Saturday in Austin, secure a berth in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Wednesday against the Galaxy and post the clean sheet at America First Field.

In the 15th minute, FW Rubio Rubín - creator of all five goals against Austin and Galaxy - found himself on a breakaway towards an open net, but New York City goalkeeper Luis Barraza (a former RSL Academy product) was able to track back and make the last-second save on the shot, preventing what appeared to be the opener for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Five minutes later, Diego Luna - celebrating his return from the U-20 World Cup in Argentina - hit a seeing-eye pass through two defenders to an unmarked Danny Musovski, but somehow a New York City defender was able to block his shot with the side of his body. It happened again in the 26th minute, with Musovski one-on-one with the 'keeper, but again Barraza made the point-blank save.

New York City's best chance came in the 31st minute, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath, in his first game back from concussion protocol due to a May 27 collision, was able to make the save with ease. As the first half approached its end, Real Salt Lake continued to find fast-break opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on any of them, the two sides entered the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.

Coming out of the halftime break, RSL winger Jefferson Savarino had his go at a pair of nearly identical shots, each skipping just wide left of the far post. The Venezuelan attacker was inches away from putting RSL in the lead when substitute Damir Kreilach found Savarino outside the 18-yard-box, but the rocketed attempt smacked off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

As the match wore on, the two sides found themselves embattled in a fight for midfield dominance, neither seemingly able to break through. In the 82nd minute, second-half substitute Anderson Julio looked to have RSL on top, but his shot was blocked with a diving save from the goalkeeper. Despite best efforts from the Claret-and-Cobalt, the team was unable to secure the go-ahead goal and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake are set to head travel East to face D.C. United next Saturday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The team will remain on the road for a midweek match against St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT.

NOTES:

Midfielder Diego Luna made his return to the lineup with his first action since May 6 in Houston and his first start since April 26 at Las Vegas, having missed the last month leading the USA U-20 side to the FIFA Youth World Cup Quarterfinal stage in Argentina.

Goalkeeper Zac MacMath returned to his position in between the posts after suffering a concussion that saw him miss three-and-a-half matches since May 27.

MacMath now has four clean sheets this season - all in MLS play - while homegrown GK Gavin Beavers added another in U.S. Open Cup action.

The scoreless draw was RSL's fourth in the 2023 MLS campaign, while the shutout suffered was RSL's fourth this year at home.

Four RSL players - Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela), Rubio Rubin (Guatemala), Braian Ojeda (Paraguay) and Anderson Julio (Ecuador) - will miss upcoming June games due to international duty.

Tonight's attendance of 20,301 marked RSL's fourth sellout crowd in 10 home contests this season, following 19 sellouts a year ago at America First Field.

Lineups:

Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): Zac MacMath; Bode Hidalgo, Justen Glad, Marceloa Silva, Andrew Brody; Jefferson Savarino (Maikel Chang 79'), Braian Ojeda, Pablo Ruiz, Diego Luna (Andrés Goméz 61'); Rubio Rubin (Damir Kreilach 61'), Danny Musovski (Anderson Julio 79')

Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Emeka Eneli, Delentz Pierre, Scott Caldwell, Jasper Löffelsend

New York City FC (3-4-2-1): Luis Barraza; Braian Cufre (Kevin O'Toole 61'), Stephen Turnbull (Tayvon Gray 73'), Tony Alfaro; James Sands, Alfredo Morales, Santiago Rodriguez, Keaton Parks, Justin Haak, Gabriel Pereira (Matias Pellegrini 73'); Talles Magno

Subs not used: Gabe Segal, Richard Ledezma, Andres Jasson, Nicholas Benalcazar, Mitja Ilenic, Matt Freese

Stats Summary: RSL / NYCShots: 20 / 5

Shots on Goal: 4 / 1

Saves: 1 / 4

Corner Kicks: 9 / 2

Fouls: 12 / 11

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:NYC: Gabriel Pereira (caution) 32'

RSL: Justen Glad (caution) 42'

NYC: Justin Haak (caution) 70'

NYC: Luis Barraza (caution) 80'

NYC: Tony Alfaro (caution) 84'

Check out the Real Monarchs Statistics



MLS NEXT Pro Stories from June 10, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central