3 takeaways from RSL’s scoreless draw vs. Houston

Actual Salt Lake traveled to Houston Saturday evening to face the Dynamo for the second time this season — the primary assembly ending in a 1-1 draw — as The Claret and Cobalt kicked off the primary of three highway video games in an eight-day stretch.

Each groups had ample possibilities to notch a tally on the scoresheet, however after 90 minutes and a whopping eight minutes of second-half stoppage time, the ultimate consequence was a scoreless draw. Coming away with some extent could have been a aid for an RSL squad that was diminished to 10 males within the 87th minute when Justen Glad was despatched off after being proven his second yellow card of the sport.

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  Actual Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak, left, makes an attempt a shot on aim as Houston Dynamo midfielder Matias Vera (22) defends and Teenage Hadebe (18) and goalkeeper Marko Maric (1) look on through the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Houston.
  
  
  Michael Wyke, Related Press
  
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  Houston Dynamo defender Sam Junqua, left heart, knocks over Actual Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak as Rusnak tried a move through the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Houston.
  
  
  Michael Wyke, Related Press
  
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  Houston Dynamo defender Teenage Hadebe (18) collides with Actual Salt Lake ahead Bobby Wooden (7) as he goes for a head ball through the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Houston.
  
  
  Michael Wyke, Related Press
  
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  Actual Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak, left, makes an attempt a shot on aim as Houston Dynamo midfielder Matias Vera (22) defends and Teenage Hadebe (18) and goalkeeper Marko Maric (1) look on through the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Houston.
  
  
  Michael Wyke, Related Press
  

Veteran keeper Zac MacMath performed a powerful sport in aim, making a handful of saves within the clutch and serving to RSL safe its fourth clear sheet of the season.

Listed below are three takeaways from RSL’s journey to Houston:

MacMath fills the aim admirably

Filling in for the injured David Ochoa (quad tightness), the 11-year veteran MacMath delivered a rock-solid efficiency for RSL, with regular distribution from the again and a number of spectacular saves.

Essentially the most spectacular and vital got here within the ninety fifth minute when former RSL participant Corey Baird (lately traded to Houston from LAFC) volleyed an on-frame shot towards aim that MacMath stretched and prolonged for, efficiently pushing the shot above the crossbar and saving RSL from doubtlessly coming away with zero factors.

“He was nice for us at the moment,” RSL coach Freddy Juarez stated of MacMath, attributing his efficiency to his effort in coaching. “That’s what has been anticipated (from him). He’s been coaching effectively all season and that’s been his mentality: be prepared, prepare onerous. He doesn’t take a time off … and that’s what led to a very good show.”

Very sudden temper shift

Within the ultimate 10 minutes of the 90, RSL began discovering itself on the entrance foot and it appeared a possible game-winning aim could also be on the horizon. Nevertheless, within the waning minutes of the sport, Baird spun away from Glad — who had performed exceptionally as much as that time — and the center-half grabbed a handful of his jersey, forcing the official to indicate Glad his second yellow card of the sport, which diminished RSL to 10 males for the ultimate minutes.

All of the sudden, the squad discovered itselft in a a lot completely different place, with the one-point draw now wanting like a lucky consequence.

Left again Ashtone Morgan stated the incident undoubtedly modified the sport, however sparked the group sufficient to make sure it got here away with the purpose.

“That play undoubtedly modified the rhythm of the sport,” Morgan stated. “Justen took one for the group, did what he needed to do and nobody’s going to fault him for that. … As a group we rallied and made positive we noticed out the sport and secured the purpose.”

A bit extra humid than Utah

Gamers and coaches commented after the sport in regards to the harshness of the warmth and humidity at BBVA stadium in Houston.

MacMath stated that humidity was draining for the gamers, however defined that Houston gamers famous that it was a reasonably gentle evening in comparison with different situations that they had skilled within the stadium. Whether or not the Dynamo gamers’ acclimation to the climate supplied a bonus is unclear, however it was clear that the situations made life troublesome for all on the pitch.

Juarez was praiseworthy of his group for working onerous and battling the unforgiving components.

“(The warmth right here) is the actual deal,” Juarez stated. “It’s all the time simply hovering above you. So, for the fellows it’s nothing however reward for them as a result of if us, as followers, are watching and sitting there and we’re sweating, so I can solely think about what it’s like working round on the sphere in competitors.”