Real Salt Lake defeated Houston Dynamo 1-1 (5-4) in penalty kicks to force game three in the first round of MLS Cup playoffs.
The first half didn’t go to plan for the hosts, as Houston were awarded a penalty kick just under the half-hour mark, with RSL center-back Justen Glad committing the foul in his own box. Amine Bassi stepped up to take the shot from 12 yards out, and inspired Zac MacMath to make the initial save before he sent the rebound to the back of the net.
Houston were knocking in the door late in the second half and they won a free kick in a dangerous area, but it seemed improbable for them to level from that sort of distance. However, Jefferson Savarino had other ideas.
Savarino stood over the ball and delivered a thundering strike that Houston’s Steve Clark was unable to match, resulting in a breathtaking equalizing goal to send the fans at America First Field into a frenzy.
Both teams were unable to find a breakthrough in the final 20 minutes of regulation, resulting in an ensuing penalty shootout.
MacMath denied Bassi from the penalty spot again in the first attempt, and this time there was no second chance for the midfielder as the 32-year-old shot-stopper stood his ground to make a crucial stop.
After trading successful attempts back and forth, the up-and-coming Diego Luna slotted home his attempt to secure the narrow victory for Salt Lake and keep their postseason dreams alive for one more game.
“I think the physicality of the group was one part that we wanted to improve from last game, being on the front foot, and the other part was work,” RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni said after the game.
“That was the biggest difference. That was our game plan, and the way the guys executed was fantastic. These games are tough, but I think tonight we showed a great spirit, a great commitment, and the quality was there.”
With the series now leveled at one apiece, Salt Lake have the chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs with a win in game three.
“For me, it’s how do we take this game – tactically, emotionally, and physically – and do it again in a short amount of time? So, I think rest is of the utmost importance, I think we have a good idea as to what to expect in game three, and it’s really about now just recovering the right way so that we have the energy and physical capability of going there and attempting the same thing,” he added.
The decisive clash is set for November 11 at Shell Energy Stadium, and the winner of the series will take on the red-hot Sporting Kansas City in the second round. SKC shocked the MLS world by sweeping the number one seed in the Western Conference, St Louis CITY, and will look to upset another team on the road as the postseason continues.
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