Real Salt Lake Earns Shock 3-3 Draw at Dallas to Extend Unbeaten Run to 11 Games

May 26, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release

FRISCO, Texas – Real Salt Lake (8-2-5 / 29 points / 1st West) rebounded from a three-goal deficit Saturday in Frisco, Texas, riding goals from Diego Luna, Anderson Julio and the last-gasp equalizer from Nelson Palacio to snatch a point at FC Dallas in Toyota Stadium. The “never-say-die” attitude by Pablo Mastroeni’s men extended its overall unbeaten run to 11 games, as tonight’s draw also gives the Utah side SEVEN consecutive road results.

First-place RSL improves to three wins and four draws against just one loss away from home this season, last losing a road match in the 2024 MLS opener back on Feb. 21 at Miami. Tonight’s RSL comeback from three goals down marks the first time RSL has EVER, while the Claret-and-Cobalt have come from behind four times this season to earn 10 of its 29 points: 2-1 win at Vancouver on March 23, a 3-1 win vs. St. Louis on March 30, last week in a 5-3 home win over Colorado, and again in tonight’s 3-3 draw at Dallas.

RSL Captain Chicho Arango was shut out from finding the scoresheet for just the fourth time in 15 matches this season, but remains the MLS Golden Boot leader with his 13 goals and 8 assists. During the current 11-game run, RSL has outscored opponents 25-12, scoring first in six of the 11 matches and hammering home five game-winning goals and now tonight’s equalizer in the final 15 minutes of matches.

Off to the best start in Club history with 29 points from 15 matches (exceeding both 2016 and 2014), RSL has ascended to the top of the Western Conference for its latest first-place bragging rights in the calendar since April 30, 2016, and the latest solo No. 1 in the West since August 2013. This week’s back-to-back road contests precede the June 1 home match against Austin FC, just the fourth of four America First Field matches for RSL from mid-April to mid-June, the Claret-and-Cobalt playing eight of 12 away from home during that span, including the trip to Dallas and a midweek rematch at Seattle. RSL will then enjoy a much-needed early June 8 international bye weekend prior to again traveling to Montreal and Kansas City on June 15/19 to wrap up the circuitous gauntlet.

RSL 3 : 3 at DAL

GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:

DAL – 45+3 – Illarramendi (Delgado): Taking the ball wide off a corner kick, Illaramendi’s curling right-footed service sailed over danger and into the hands RSL GK Zac MacMath, who appeared to change his mind from a double-fisted punch to a catch…