SANDY—Real Salt Lake ended in a 1-1 draw in an Independence Day matchup with Orlando City SC at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL did not score in the second half despite having a one-man advantage over OCSC.
Early in the first half, RSL got a golden chance from Jaime Garcia, but was not able to capitalize. Instead, Orlando countered with a quick attack culminating in a Kaka goal to go up 1-0 in the 5th minute.
Real Salt Lake’s offensive attack finally paid off when they tied the game in the 28th minute with yet another Sebastian Jaime goal via a header. That was Jaime’s 3rd MLS goal since June 21st.
Things turned strongly in RSL’s favor in the 45th minute when referee Sorin Stoica issued Kaka a straight red card, sending him out the game, and Orlando a man short.
Orlando thwarted RSL’s offensive attack with only ten men in the second half, despite RSL possessing the ball 59% of the game. Jeff Attinella finished the match with 3 saves, and Orlando goalkeeper Tally Hall ended with 6 saves.
Real Salt Lake’s next match will be at the Colorado Rapids in the next leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday, July 11 at 7:00. Pregame begins on ESPN700 at 6:00.
Jeff Cassar’s postgame press conference:
Highlights of tonight’s match:
