Late RSL slip-up results in 2-2 draw against Toronto FC

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SANDY — Real Salt Lake earned its second-straight draw Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium, allowing a goal in the 80th minute by Toronto FC after leading 2-1 for most of the match.

Head coach Pablo Mastroeni said in the moment it felt like the team "dropped two points" instead of gaining one. The draw puts RSL in a tie with the LA Galaxy for second in the Western Conference in points, but third place in the standings due to the Galaxy leading on goal differential.

The scoring got started early with an outside-the-box solo shot from Justin Meram in the seventh minute to put RSL up 1-0 and a volley strike from Kosi Thompson in the ninth minute to tie it back up for Toronto.

Marcelo Silva and Sergio Cordova had a pair of chances just before the 30-minute mark, but it was a pinpoint cross from Maikel Chang in the 43rd minute that resulted in Damir Kreilach slotting home his first goal of the season to put RSL up 2-1 going into the half.

Chang nearly had another assist in the 59th minute, finding Meram right in front of goal on a ground cross, but the shot was blocked. RSL had two more chances to go up 3-1 in the following five minutes but were unable to finish them.

"We created a lot of opportunities, but the game doesn't give you that," Mastroeni said. "There's one stat in this game, and that's goals in the back of the net."

RSL had 16 shots on the night to just seven for Toronto, with 10 of the home team's chances coming inside the 18-yard box. Only four of RSL's total shots were on target, while three of Toronto's seven were on frame.

Toronto made RSL pay for its missed opportunities when Jayden Nelson caught goalkeeper Zach MacMath out of position for another equalizer in the 80th minute. A Toronto tackle in the RSL defending third resulted in a turnover and open goal for Nelson. The tackle on Kreilach was checked for a possible foul, but the goal was upheld.

"At the end of the day, I think we played a very good game," Kreilach said. "We just have to close the game down earlier with all the chances we had. But heads up, and we are moving forward now."

RSL hits the road for its third away contest in four matches, taking on New York City FC on April 17 at 11 a.m. MDT.