Real Salt Lake Forces Game Three With Shootout Victory Over Houston Dynamo
Nov 6, 2023, 9:29 PM | Updated: Nov 7, 2023, 10:15 am
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake took advantage of a late free kick and Zac MacMath stepped up to stop the first penalty kick he faced, giving RSL the win over Houston.
No. 5 Real Salt Lake beat No. 4 Houston Dynamo in the second leg of a best-of-three first-round series. Game three will be played in Houston on Saturday, November 11.
RELATED: Jefferson Savarino Free Kick Ties Score In Second Half
An ICE COLD Diego Luna takes it to game 3 for @realsaltlake | #RSL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/FcO8JDzVki
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) November 7, 2023
Chicho Arango entered in the 56th minute and completely changed the tenor of the match. A physical but not overly productive Real Salt Lake offense turned into a juggernaut in the final thirty minutes.
With its season on the line, RSL peppered Houston with 11 shots and three on frame in the second half. In the 70th minute, Jefferson Savarino deposited a free kick into the goal to tie the game.
In PK’s, Zac MacMath stopped the first shot he faced. Real Salt Lake made all five of their penalties to remain alive.
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First Half
Similar to match one, Houston completely controlled possession in the opening minutes. The relentless attack produced a corner kick in the eighth minute for the Dynamo that came up empty.
After some physical play from RSL and a foul against Andrés Gómez gave Houston a free kick in dangerous territory. Franco Escobar fired the free kick into the box just over the heads of two teammates and out of play.
😠😀😠😠😠
😠😆🙂🙂😠😠 pic.twitter.com/jYi7IDWI40— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 7, 2023
Houston picked up a pair of yellow cards before the 20th minute as the tension built from RSL forcing action.
Justen Glad earned a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the 26th minute that gave Houston a penalty kick. Zac MacMath turned away Amine Bassi’s first attempt at the right post, but Bassi followed with a rebound goal.
Almost denied, but Bassi persists! Houston are up in Match 2. #HoldItDown // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WW3s15AffU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2023
Braian Ojeda earned a yellow card in the 33rd minute.
Second Half
A third yellow card was issued to each side within seven minutes of play in the second half.
Chicho Arango and his six goals were inserted into the match in the 56th minute. Arango had missed several games with a hamstring injury.
Chicho coming in to the the savior this team needs #RSL
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) November 7, 2023
Immediately after Arango entered, Real built its most positive attack. RSL ultimately came up empty when Steve Clark fell on a Braian Ojeda shot. Arango came up empty moments later in transition as RSL scrambled to close the 1-0 deficit.
In the 64th minute, Arango forced a turnover in the offensive end and lifted a right-footed ball that sailed just beyond the post.
Jefferson Savarino evened the score at one with a free kick from just outside the box.
Savarino 🚀🚀🚀 with a Golazo of a free kick to give RSL a lifeline. Ties things up at 1-1 #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) November 7, 2023
A frenzied final 20 minutes saw both teams gain scoring chances but neither could convert. After 90 minutes of play with a 1-1 tie, leading to penalty kicks to decide the winner.
WE ARE GOING TO PENALTIES AT AMERICA FIRST FIELD #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) November 7, 2023
Penalty Kicks
PK1
Houston 0
RSL 1
PK2
Houston 1
RSL 2
PK3
Houston 2
RSL 3
PK4
Houston 3
RSL 4
PK5
Houston 4
RSL 5
Follow Real Salt Lake With KSL Sports
Houston will host Real Salt Lake in the final leg of their first-round series on Saturday, November 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT).
Find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.
Apple TV with MLS Season Pass broadcasts all Major League Soccer games.
All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2023 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.
