Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at BBVA Stadium, with the visitors holding onto a point in the final minutes despite being down to 10 men following Justen Glad's red card.
Glad's ejection was the most notable event in the match, coming in the 87th minute when he picked up a second yellow card for an off-ball challenge
The first half included the best opportunities for both teams. The visitors were first to force saves out of the opposition goalkeeper, with Maikel Chang and Damir Kreilach testing Marko Maric in quick succession in the 11th minute. The Dynamo were slow to start recording shots, their first coming in the 24th minute through Mateo Bajamich, whose effort from an angle was denied by Zac MacMath.
Chances continued to flow during the second half, but both sides missed accuracy when it mattered most. For RSL, Albert Rusnak was played clear through behind the Dynamo defense but struck the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy. Corey Baird, on as a substitute and making his Dynamo debut just a day after his trade from LAFC, fired high over the bar in the 71st minute following a pinpoint cross from Tyler Pasher that deserved a better finish.
The result kept RSL in the Western Conference's final playoff spot and extended the Dynamo's winless run to nine games.
Goals
- None
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Both teams recorded plenty of chances – Houston posted 1.2 xG and RSL 1.5 xG, but they lacked finishing ability. It resulted in a match that hardly showcased the best from either team, minus two goalkeepers who met the moment.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: A poor second half in which RSL recorded no shots on target got worse in the 87th minute when Glad picked up his second yellow card.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Maric stood out, making sure Houston survived early attempts from RSL and recording four first-half saves on the way to a clean sheet.
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