ORLANDO, Fla. – Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United FC played on Friday night. It was the second game for both teams in the MLS is Back tournament. Both teams won their first game. A win for either team would secure their place in the knockout stage.
RSL Draw Minnesota United 0-0: Both Teams Surely Through to Knockouts
The first half wasn’t the most exciting but it had it’s moments. The ball movement and creativity was lacking at times.
RSL got the ball into good positions but was unable to finish. Their best chance came in the 10th minute as Aaron Herrera spoiled a shot in front of goal. Douglas Martinez Jr. set up the shot.
The best chance for the Loons came just before half time. Robin Lod split the center backs perfectly to get in on goal but shot the ball of the left post. The rebound came to Ethan Finlay who headed it first time but goalkeeper Zac MacMath made the save.
The half ended 0-0.
Both teams were more energetic to start the second half, trading chances.
The best early chance fell again to Robin Lod on a counter attack. Off distribution from the keeper, Lod made a run on goal between the center backs. His shot didn’t have enough pace on it and MacMath was able to save and trap the ball.
Sam Johnson almost scored in the 87th minute. RSL sprung a counter off Minnesota’s first corner of the game. Johnson got in behind with MacMath coming off his line but his shot was wide of the post.
Not much else came of the second half as both teams had half chances. From a far, they could have been playing for a draw to give them a likely birth in the knockout rounds.
OFF THE POST to end the half. #RSLvMIN pic.twitter.com/r2wArvULyl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2020
Three Takeaways: RSL Draw Minnesota
Lod can’t finish: Robin Lod probably had the two best chances of the night and couldn’t finish. Both sides did a poor job getting their center forwards (Sam Johnson and Luis Amarilla) chances.
Both teams on four points: It became obvious during the game that both sides were happy with a point. That likely guarantees both are through to the knockouts.
Group still up for grabs: Sporting KC won prior to this game, so the top three teams are on three or four points. The group is still very much up for grabs between these three.
