It may not always be pretty but at least it is effective. That seems to be the motto of D.C. United during this 2016 Major League Soccer season. Despite being out-shot and out-played for large portions of the match United were able to escape Rio Tinto Stadium and Real Salt Lake on Friday night with a 1-1 draw.
Real Salt Lake took the advantage in the 57th minute with a goal by forward Yura Movsisyan. United tied the match late on a header from midfielder Jared Jeffrey. The goal was Jeffrey’s first of the season and first since September of 2013.
Prior to the goal it appeared that D.C. was destined for a 1-0 loss. Salt Lake dominated possession and thanks to the efforts of Movsisyan, Plata, Javier Morales, and Burrito Martinez were holding a shooting gallery in United’s defensive half. In the 17th minute Morales’ cross into Movsisyan caught the D.C. defense off-guard and gave the Armenian international a clear scoring opportunity. Movsisyan’s initial shot would be saved by Hamid. A subsequent rebound chance would also be scooped up by D.C.’s Designated Player.
“He is one of the best keepers in the league,” said Movsisyan. “It is definitely tough, you know he is a big boy, covers a lot of the goal and does well on the ground.”
RSL would have another opportunity just before half time when Plata would bob and weave past United defenders Bobby Boswell and Sean Franklin. However Hamid would foil RSL once again with a diving save to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.
After multiple tries RSL were finally able to break through the D.C. defense in the 57th minute. Off of a pass from Morales at the top D.C.’s eighteen yard box, Martinez strafed past United’s defense and hit a chip shot over Hamid to put RSL ahead. The goal was Martinez’s sixth of the season.
Down a goal, D.C. seemed to finally open up and became a bit more adventurous in the attacking half. Midfielder Julian Buscher, who came in the 75th minute for Marcelo Sarvas, provided United’s first real opportunity of the second half with a cross into the RSL penalty box. Midfielder Lamar Neagle’s shot gave RSL supporters a stir but would ultimately goal wide of the goal.
Despite being unsuccessful in their efforts, United’s chance in the 75th minute showed that there was something to play for. D.C. would seize upon this crack in RSL’s armor when in injury time substitute Jeffrey would head home the equalizer off of a corner taken by Fabian Espindola.
For United, squeaking out a result late on the road is nothing new. In their last three matches United have eeked out a result against RSL, preserved a 0-0 draw in Houston, and taken three points away from Sporting Kansas City.
“That’s kind of the culture of D.C. United and it’s been that way for a while,” said Neagle. “We’re always going to fight to the end of the game and with Bill keeping us in it, he was the only reason we were able to fight that long and get that point.
We know there’s always a chance. We’ve done the same thing late in games before – we did it in Kansas City, we had a tough game in Houston we got a result out of and now Salt Lake.”
For Salt Lake, despite holding an 8 to 2 advantage in terms of shots on goal, the draw represents another stumble late in matches. The club on Wednesday bowed out of the U.S. Open Cup after holding an early lead against Seattle Sounders FC.
“Deja Vu from Seattle; it sucks,” said Movsisyan. “It hurts, nothing hurts like getting that many chances, to be playing this well and not to score goals.”
Real Salt Lake (8-5-4, 28 points)will host the Montreal Impact on July the 9th. D.C. United (5-6-6, 21 points) will also have a week off but are not as fortunate as RSL. The club will travel to PPL Park to take on Eastern Conference leaders the Philadelphia Union.
DC United
Real Salt Lake
