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FRISCO, Texas — Real Salt Lake took a point on the road out of its 2018 Major League Soccer season-opener at FC Dallas.
But it won’t feel that way for the visiting team.
Joao Plata’s first-half goal nearly stood up, but host FC Dallas came back to equalize with four minutes left in regulation to see Salt Lake leave the Lone Star State with a 1-1 draw at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
"It's hard to swallow that late (result), but they had their opportunities — and we did as well. Perhaps 1-1 is a fair result," RSL coach Mike Petke said.
"We had some guys dying out there in the 78th minute. Regular-season games amp it up a heck of a lot more. These guys were hurting, but they grinded and we got a result on the road."
Plata gave Salt Lake the 1-0 advantage in the 25th minute, finishing off a well-weighted through-ball from Albert Rusnak inside the near post to give the visitors all the first-half advantage they would need.
The 5-foot-2 Ecuadorian gave Salt Lake (0-0-1) a lead that held up until the final minutes of the match, splitting the points in the Western Conference clash thanks to goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Rimando made five saves in the first half to keep RSL ahead at the break. The 38-year-old net minder who re-signed as a free agent just before RSL opened the preseason turned aside three shots on goal by Maxi Urruti, including a left-footed shot from the edge of the 6-yard box in the 38th minute.
Jefferson Savarino nearly doubled Salt Lake’s advantage in the 70th minute. The 21-year-old winger from Maracaibo, Venezuela, dribbled through a hard tackle by Dallas’ Matt Hedges and slotted a ball into the area that trickled just outside the near post to keep RSL up 1-0.
FC Dallas equalized with five minutes remaining in stoppage time. Jacori Hayes did well to keep a ball in play while picking off RSL’s Danny Acosta. Urruti rushed toward goal with the ball, and Marcelo Silva’s attempt to clear the ball landed behind Rimando for the 1-1 scoreline in the 86th minute.
"It's always good to take a point away from home. We want home to be a stronghold and to get our points there," newly acquired RSL defender Shawn Barry said.
"Taking a point away from FC Dallas … is a good night for us."
Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer made two saves for FC Dallas (0-0-1).
Next up:
Real Salt Lake opens its home schedule Saturday, March 10, against expansion Los Angeles FC. Dallas plays the Seattle Sounders at 3 p.m. MST March 18.
LAFC opens its inaugural season Sunday at 3 p.m. MST against Seattle (ESPN).
All matches will be streamed live on KSL.com.
