SANDY, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – After scoring three goals in each of its last two games, to go along with a 3-goal performance in the U.S. Open Cup at Las Vegas on Wednesday, Real Salt Lake failed to find the back of the net and had to settle for a scoreless draw against Seattle Saturday night at America First Field.
Real Salt Lake (3-5-1, 10 points) did not allow a goal in a match for the first time this season. RSL has allowed just two goals while running its unbeaten streak at home to three games (2-0-1).
Zac MacMath made one save in notching his first clean sheet of the year.
Seattle (6-2-2, 20 points) earned a road point while also posting its first shutout away from home this season. The Sounders earned their sixth clean sheet of the season and have allowed just seven goals in 10 matches.
Seattle controlled 57 percent of the possession time but Salt Lake had a 15-12 advantage in total shots over 90 minutes.
Both teams had numerous scoring chances in the first half, but neither could find the net. RSL edged Seattle 8-7 in total shots over the first 45 minutes and had two balls on frame.
Each RSL shot on goal came close to breaking the ice for the home side.
Andres Gomez sent a rocket into the box in the 30th minute only to have Stefan Frei (three saves) tip the ball up and over the crossbar. Then, Rubio Rubin nearly put RSL on the board in the 45th minute with a right-footed blast outside the box. Frei stretched out and tipped the long ball away, forcing it wide of the far post.
Seattle put a single shot on goal through 90 minutes. The Sounders’ best scoring chance, however, came on an off-target shot late in the second half. Heber laid off a through ball to Jordan Morris in the 78th minute and Morris fired off a right-footer from the left side of the box. He had a direct open look at the goalmouth, but chipped the ball high over the crossbar.
Real Salt Lake played a man down in the final minutes after Pablo Ruiz was sent off with a red card three minutes into stoppage time.
RSL next plays at Houston May 6th.
