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SANDY — Two goals in the first eight minutes of the second half weren't enough to give Real Salt Lake a home win Friday without its head coach.
Ola Kamara opened the scoring in the 15th minute, then closed it in the 60th minute with his second goal, to help visiting Columbus Crew SC take a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.
After a 1-0 halftime deficit, Joao Plata equalized from the penalty spot, clinching the sixth penalty kick of his career with RSL just five minutes into the second half.
“We wanted to be aggressive, and make sure the tempo was set by us," said RSL assistant coach Freddy Juarez, who served as the team manager while head coach Mike Petke served a one-game MLS-mandated suspension.
“It was a better second half, and we created chances. We collect the point, but we’re not happy with that result.”
Venezuelan international Jefferson Savorino finished off a counterattack just three minutes later, taking a pass from Luis Silva and cruising down the right side of the field at Rio Tinto Stadium and tucking a shot inside the far post for the 2-1 advantage.
But the Crew (10-11-2) — and Kamara — weren’t done.
Kamara notched a brace in the 60th minute, taking advantage of an empty net to tie the match at 2-2.
"They overloaded in the middle, and we couldn't work it out how to break them down," RSL midfielder Albert Rusnak said. "There were just too many men, and not enough space to play.
"When you go 2-1 up, you can't concede a goal like that."
Sebastian Saucedo nearly won it in the third minute of the five-minute stoppage time for RSL (7-12-4). But his cross into the box skipped past an on-rushing Yura Movsisyan as both teams were forced to settle for a point apiece.
Petke was suspended by Major League Soccer following his remarks denigrating MLS officiating prompted by a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
Assistant coach Freddy Juarez was the interim manager Saturday. Petke watched the match from the box above the concourse at Rio Tinto Stadium.
