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RSL Earn First Road Points In Tie With DC United
An inspired performance from a beleaguered Real Salt Lake side saw them earn their first point on the road, while holding United to their fourth draw in six home games.
May 23, 2009 11:47:34 PM
Real Salt Lake, coming off of a streak in which they picked up only one point from four games, was able to frustrate a normally potent D.C. United attack, earning a valuable, and much needed point on the road.
First Half
D.C. United, accustomed to quick starts, especially in games at home, were slowed from the beginning by a determined Real Salt Lake side. United failed to create any clear cut chances early in the first half, which slowed the tempo down to a pace that Real Salt Lake would be pleased with.
Instead, with the slower pace to the game throughout the first half, RSL was able to limit United's chances, while creating a couple of their own. And while most of the chances from Real were from shots from outside the box, the tone had been set, and Real was able to frustrate United on the defensively.
United had a decent chance in the 24th minute, as Bryan Namoff crossed a ball to the far post from the corner of the six yard box. His cross found Fred, but Fred's volley was put just inches wide, failing to test RSL keeper Nick Rimando.
The best chance of the first half fell to RSL striker Robbie Findley in the 40th minute. A through ball just found its way through the United defense for an onsides Findley. But United keeper Josh Wicks was quick off his line, and was able to cut down the angles for Findley, whose shot went straight at Wicks, who made the save.
In all, Real had eight shots in the first half, five of which were on target, which were all saved by Wicks. But if Real had come with the intention of finally earning a point on the road, their plan was working perfectly, as the slowed tempo of the game meant limited success for United going forward, and the teams went in at halftime with the score 0-0.
Second Half
With the United attack stuttering in the first half, coach Tom Soehn made one change at halftime, bringing on rookie Chris Pontius, while taking off veteran forward Jamie Moreno.
And while United failed to come out strongly in the second half, the first chance of the half went to United, as striker Santino Quaranta played a through ball into the box for Fred. Fred wasted the time and space that he had however, and what looked to be a clear chance was immediately gone, as the RSL defense stood firm.
Neither team then had many chances for a good portion of the second half. Either a case of strong defensive play, or weak attacking options from either side, meant that chances on goal were few and far between.
In the latter part of the half though, RSL had two quick chances, from which Wicks was called into action. From outside of the box, RSL captain Kyle Beckerman let fly a left footed shot in the 73rd minute, which swerved on target, and forced Wicks to put the shot over the bar for a corner kick. Javier Morales took the resulting corner kick, which found Findley, who got his header on goal, only for Wicks to push it out for another corner.
They were two chances that could have been the opening goal for RSL, but the quick hands of Wicks saved United for the meantime. Shortly after, RSL substitute Yura Movsisyan tried to curl one to the far post from just inside the box, but his shot did not bend enough, and flew just wide of Wicks' post.
United came close to finding a winning goal themselves, but in the 82nd minute, a close range header from Pontius bounced just wide of the post, although a shot on target might have been saved by Rimando.
In the 89th minute, United had one final chance, but the effort was in vain, as substitute Rodney Wallace's flicked header just could not find a teammate, and the half decent chance was immediately gone.
After five minutes of stoppage time, the game was over, and Real Salt Lake had their first point on the road, after five tries this season.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
First Half
D.C. United, accustomed to quick starts, especially in games at home, were slowed from the beginning by a determined Real Salt Lake side. United failed to create any clear cut chances early in the first half, which slowed the tempo down to a pace that Real Salt Lake would be pleased with.
Instead, with the slower pace to the game throughout the first half, RSL was able to limit United's chances, while creating a couple of their own. And while most of the chances from Real were from shots from outside the box, the tone had been set, and Real was able to frustrate United on the defensively.
United had a decent chance in the 24th minute, as Bryan Namoff crossed a ball to the far post from the corner of the six yard box. His cross found Fred, but Fred's volley was put just inches wide, failing to test RSL keeper Nick Rimando.
The best chance of the first half fell to RSL striker Robbie Findley in the 40th minute. A through ball just found its way through the United defense for an onsides Findley. But United keeper Josh Wicks was quick off his line, and was able to cut down the angles for Findley, whose shot went straight at Wicks, who made the save.
In all, Real had eight shots in the first half, five of which were on target, which were all saved by Wicks. But if Real had come with the intention of finally earning a point on the road, their plan was working perfectly, as the slowed tempo of the game meant limited success for United going forward, and the teams went in at halftime with the score 0-0.
Second Half
With the United attack stuttering in the first half, coach Tom Soehn made one change at halftime, bringing on rookie Chris Pontius, while taking off veteran forward Jamie Moreno.
And while United failed to come out strongly in the second half, the first chance of the half went to United, as striker Santino Quaranta played a through ball into the box for Fred. Fred wasted the time and space that he had however, and what looked to be a clear chance was immediately gone, as the RSL defense stood firm.
Neither team then had many chances for a good portion of the second half. Either a case of strong defensive play, or weak attacking options from either side, meant that chances on goal were few and far between.
In the latter part of the half though, RSL had two quick chances, from which Wicks was called into action. From outside of the box, RSL captain Kyle Beckerman let fly a left footed shot in the 73rd minute, which swerved on target, and forced Wicks to put the shot over the bar for a corner kick. Javier Morales took the resulting corner kick, which found Findley, who got his header on goal, only for Wicks to push it out for another corner.
They were two chances that could have been the opening goal for RSL, but the quick hands of Wicks saved United for the meantime. Shortly after, RSL substitute Yura Movsisyan tried to curl one to the far post from just inside the box, but his shot did not bend enough, and flew just wide of Wicks' post.
United came close to finding a winning goal themselves, but in the 82nd minute, a close range header from Pontius bounced just wide of the post, although a shot on target might have been saved by Rimando.
In the 89th minute, United had one final chance, but the effort was in vain, as substitute Rodney Wallace's flicked header just could not find a teammate, and the half decent chance was immediately gone.
After five minutes of stoppage time, the game was over, and Real Salt Lake had their first point on the road, after five tries this season.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
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