Real Salt Lake Sees 2023 Season End On Penalties In Houston
Nov 11, 2023, 6:20 PM | Updated: 6:40 pm
HOUSTON – Real Salt Lake suffered a season-ending loss after a series of penalty kicks for the second straight game against the Houston Dynamo FC.
Real Salt Lake’s 2023 season ends on PKs
The Dynamo hosted RSL at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, November 11.
RELATED: RSL Travels For Win Or Go Home Game Three Against Houston Dynamo
RSL lost on penalty kicks, 4-3. The two teams went to penalties after a 1-1 tie in regulation.
RSL: ✅✅❌✅❌
HOU: ✅✅✅❌✅— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 12, 2023
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During the 28th minute, the Dynamo struck first on a shot by former RSL midfielder Corey Baird after the ball bounced around the box.
At the break, the Dynamo owned a 1-0 lead over the visitors. During the first 45 minutes of action, Houston controlled possession for 62.6 percent of the time. Both teams had one shot on target. However, the Dynamo were more aggressive in the attacking third with six total shots to three by Real Salt Lake. During the opening half, Houston was the only team to have a corner back and Dynamo goalkeeper came up with a save on a shot by Andrés Gómez a few minutes before Baird’s goal.
Early in the second half, Brayan Vera took Real Salt Lake’s first corner kick in the 52nd minute.
In the 65 minute, Luna buried the ball into the back of the net with a header from the middle of the box. Bryan Oviedo was credited with the assist.
Luna’s goal tied the scoreboard at 1-1.
Luna levels it in Space City. 🌘#RSLonKSL #RSL #HOUvRSL #MLSCupPlayoffs@rslshow
Read more about the midfielder's equalizer:https://t.co/jt6kxeJDe2
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2023
The midfielder entered the match having recorded five goals and three assists on 23 shots, including 11 shots on goal, in 23 games this season.
The teams battled throughout the rest of the second half. However, the game went to penalty kicks after neither club could find a winner in the final 45 minutes, plus two minutes of extra time.
In penalties, both clubs connected on their first two attempts. Chicho Arango and Rubio Rubin buried their shots for Real Salt Lake.
RSL’s third shot was taken by Luna and blocked by Clark to give Houston the advantage. The Dynamo found the back of the net on their third shot to secure the edge.
Vera buried his shot for Real Salt Lake’s fourth attempt from the spot. After Vera’s shot, the Dynamo’s Nelson Quiñónes had his shot blocked by RSL’s Zac MacMath.
Unfortunately for RSL, Danny Musovski missed his shot and Houston’s Griffin Dorsey connected to send the visiting side home.
And with that PK, the 2023 season comes to an end #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) November 12, 2023
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With the win, the Dynamo took the best-of-three series, 2-1.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
