Real Salt Lake x NYCFC

Real Salt Lake drew 0-0 with New York City FC to close out another unbeaten three-game week, one in which the team earned a road victory last Saturday in Austin, advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Wednesday against the Galaxy and kept a clean sheet at America First Field against a visiting NYCFC side.

Rubio Rubin, the creator of all five goals against Austin and the Galaxy, was on a breakaway towards the NYC net in the 15th minute, but New York City goalkeeper Luis Barraza was up to the challenge and was able to make a last-second save, preventing what appeared to be RSL’s opening goal. Five minutes later, Diego Luna played a saucy pass through two defenders to an unmarked Danny Musovski, but an NYCFC defender blocked his shot with the side of his body. Again, in the 26th minute, Musovski had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, but Barraza made the save.

New York City's finest opportunity came in the 31st minute, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made the save with ease. Real Salt Lake continued to find fast-break opportunities as the first half drew to a close, but they were unable to convert any of them as the half ended 0-0.

After the halftime break, RSL winger Jefferson Savarino attempted two virtually identical shots, each of which missed the far post to the left. When substitute Damir Kreilach picked out Savarino outside the 18-yard box, the Venezuelan attacker was so close to giving RSL the lead, but his soaring attempt hit the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.

As the game progressed, the two teams became embroiled in a struggle for midfield dominance, with neither side seemingly able to break through. Substitute Anderson Julio appeared to put RSL on top in the 82nd minute, but his shot was thwarted by an acrobatic save from the NYC keeper. Despite their best efforts, the sides were unable to score the game-winning goal, resulting in a scoreless stalemate.

[Photography by Abram Iman]