Real Salt Lake Secures Clean Sheet with 0-0 Draw Against Seattle Sounders: Real Salt Lake

April 30, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake earned its first clean sheet of the year with a 0-0 draw against the Western Conference leading Seattle Sounders FC. Snapping a 13-game streak dating back to last September, a new-look RSL rearguard held the top side in West scoreless Saturday at America First Field.

Throughout much of the first half, the two sides traded punches, with each team seeing its fair chances of goal-scoring opportunities. Seattle forward Héber looked to put the visiting side on the board in the 21st minute, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath was able to easily make the save. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s best chance at goal came in the 30th minute, when crafty Colombian winger Andrés Gómez launched a deep shot towards goal, forcing goalkeeper Stefan Frei to make a quick reaction save to push the ball up and over the crossbar. In the 45th minute, forward Rubio Rubin nearly notched his first of the year, but Stefan Frei was able to push the ball mere inches wide of the left post, maintaining the 0-0 scoreline heading into the halftime break.

The start of the second half saw the two sides continue to battle for dominance as each looked to break the 0-0 deadlock. In the 58th minute, midfielder Pablo Ruiz came close to scoring the go-ahead goal, but his shot sailed just outside the post. As the second half continued, the game began to get increasingly chippy, resulting in a slew of yellow cards and fouls, which limited either team’s ability to establish consistent possession.

The last few minutes saw both sides desperately pushing for the game-winning goal, but staunch defenses from both teams continued to limit chances. In the third minute of stoppage time, Ruiz received his second yellow card and was sent off as a result, but despite being down a man RSL was able to maintain the clean sheet and earn a point in the 0-0 draw.

UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake heads to the Lone Star state for a match against Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Before returning home to America First Field on May 13, the team is scheduled for a midweek match-up at Portland Timbers for the Round of 32 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

NOTES:

– Real Salt Lake was without Axel Kei (ankle), Zack Farnsworth (thigh), Delentz Pierre (leg), Erik Holt (shoulder), Andrew Brody (ankle), Anderson Julio (hamstring), Tomas Gomez (knee), Jasper Löffelsend (ankle) and Bode Hidalgo (hamstring).

– Forward Danny…