April 14, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (3-2-3, 12 points, 4th West) extended its unbeaten run to four consecutive games, despite a litany of missed chances in front of goal haunting the team into accepting a 0-0 home draw against Columbus at America First Field on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Following road matches the next two weekends at Chicago and Philadelphia, RSL returns home on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 for a crucial showdown with long-time rival Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT, with tickets available at www.RSL.com/tickets.
In a game the Claret-and-Cobalt mostly dominated, the team struggled to make its superiority count when it mattered most, failing to take its chances, forced to settle for merely a point.
Following a 1-1 draw at Minnesota last week, and a 3-1 comeback victory in its last home outing, buoyed by a sellout crowd of 20,033 and vibrant home support, RSL began the game in the ascendancy and managed to maintain a firm stranglehold on the game for the entirety of the contest.
In a combative and competitive match, chances were at a premium for the visitors, with a solid and organized defensive structure proving extremely difficult to break down. RSL, on the other hand, seemed to create chances at will and failed to secure maximum points from this encounter. Spurred on by its adoring fanbase, the hosts managed to create a barrage of clear-cut chances in a pulsating and entertaining match, but a lack of finishing meant the team failed to convert.
RSL’s best chance of the first half, and arguably the entire game, came in the 18th minute through a brilliant counter-pressing attacking sequence. Having won the ball back from the furthest Columbus defender back, attacker Andres Gomez found himself with loads of space and bearing down on goal with teammate Chicho Arango alongside, with only the goalkeeper to beat. Gómez’ squared ball lacked pace but found Chicho atop the six, but goalkeeper, Evan Bush recovered just in time to parry Chicho’s effort and deny the RSL captain the chance to open the scoring.
The Crew’s fortunes seemingly went from bad to worse in the first half when first-choice goalkeeper Evan Bush was forced to be substitued in the 35th minute after picking up an apparent head/neck injury.
RSL continued to pile on the pressure, with the visitors visibly unable to contain their opponent’s swashbuckling tracking flair, and could have taken the lead again…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central MLS NEXT Pro MLS NEXT Pro News…