NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Finishes Busy Stretch with 1-1 Draw against Orlando City SC

July 5, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, UT - Real Salt Lake held every statistical advantage against Orlando City SC in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs Saturday night. But RSL finished its stretch of six matches in 19 days with a 1-1 draw at Rio Tinto Stadium, ending the busy stretch with a 2-1-3 record across all competitions.

FW Sebastian Jaime scored his third goal of the season and GK Jeff Attinella finished the night with three saves, but RSL couldn't crack a resolute Orlando defense in the second half. With distinct edges in shots (23-9), shots on goal (7-4), passes (478-328) and possession (58.9%-41.1%), RSL had every reason to expect to win at home. Add to that a 45th minute red card to Orlando superstar Kaka and a 1-1 final was far from the expected result.

There was an early lead to be had in the match and it very nearly went to Real Salt Lake in the fourth minute.

In a scramble in the middle of the box, RSL had three shots, one from FW Joao Plata and two from FW Olmes Garcia. But the first effort by Plata and the follow by Garcia were both blocked before Garcia's last chance was corralled by Tally Hall for the save.

On the other end of the field, Orlando held possession on the edge of the box, then Pedro Ribeiro sprung Kaka into space in the box. The Brazilian put his left-footed shot past Attinella and inside the far post for the fifth-minute goal as RSL fell behind 1-0.

RSL fought for the equalizer and put Hall under pressure before finally breaking through in the 28th minute. DF Tony Beltran pushed up the right side and got into the box before crossing it for Jaime in the middle of the box. He cut inside his defender and snapped a header inside the near post for his third goal of the season to even it up at 1-1.

The goal gave Jaime three goals in his last four MLS matches and four in his last five across all competitions.

The home side remained in control, outshooting Orlando 12-3 for the half, and went on the man-advantage in the 45th minute when Kaka was red-carded after a foul near the sideline and subsequent stomp on the downed Morales.

However, RSL wasn't able to take advantage of Kaka's sending-off. Although playing down a man, Orlando attempted the first three shots of the second half, holding RSL without a second-half shot until the 61st minute.

In the 81st minute, Cassar opted to bring on FW Sebastian Saucedo for Beltran, shifting the formation into a more attacking posture to go for the win and the move almost paid immediate dividends when Saucedo curled a shot from the left side in the 84th minute that Hall tipped into the far post, bouncing clear.

Real Salt Lake ended a stretch of six matches in 19 days. Now with a week between games, RSL will take to the road to face the Colorado Rapids in the second match of the Rocky Mountain Cup on July 11 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Check out the Real Salt Lake Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from July 5, 2015


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