Real Salt Lake, Nashville SC Play Out Scoreless Draw

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake hosted Nashville SC for the first time at Rio Tinto Stadium in a fixture that failed to live up to the expectation of the 10,000 faithful RSL fans that showed up.

Manager Freddy Juarez opted to alter the starting XI from a week ago. Albert Rusnak went to his preferred center attacking midfield position, Anderson Julio returned from injury and slotted onto the right-wing, Damir Kreilach played alongside Pablo Ruiz in the middle of the park and Nick Besler was benched following an impressive performance a week ago against San Jose.

“Overall I thought it was a solid performance,” Juarez said following the conclusion of the game. “We created a handful of opportunities and defended well, so there is a lot for us to be proud of. We would have loved to get the three points in front of our home fans.”

𝙏𝙃𝙀 Starting XI.#RSLvNSH | @lifevantage pic.twitter.com/BXlwSePU3T

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 16, 2021

First Half Stalemate

The first half was a bore. Very few attacking opportunities were created. Both RSL and Nashville struggled to find space in their attacking third and the ball was predominantly found in the heart of the midfield.

RSL did dominate possession but was unable to do anything with it.

It was clear from the outset that Nashville was content in snatching a point at Rio Tinto Stadium. Even when they had opportunities to pounce on a counter-attack they often slowed the ball down in an attempt to control the speed and tempo of the match.

Second Half Desperation

The second half began with more life. Juarez clearly ramped his men up at halftime, they began the second half with more energy and were more committed to working harder as the ball traveled into their attacking third.

RSL started to find success up the wings. With Andrew Brody flying up the right to offer support in the attack. He went on a number of dribbles that penetrated the Nashville backline and subsequently received fouls in doing so.

Interestingly, Juarez opted to gift both Ashtone Morgan and Noah Powder their RSL debuts as Donny Toia and Andrew Brody made way respectively.

75' | First sub of the night. Ashtone making his #RSL debut!

▶️ Ashtone Morgan
◀️ Donny Toia

0-0 | @SJ_Utah pic.twitter.com/Zc5g16mPS9

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 16, 2021

Douglas Martinez and Maikel Chang were the other substitutions made by Juarez in the second half. However, all substitutions were made within the final 15 minutes of the game, and all players who entered struggled to find their way into the game. They had no impact.

Defensively, despite very little threat by Nashville, RSL defended as a team. Led by vice-captain Justen Glad, the backline was structured throughout the entirety of the contest.

Then, with the final touch of the game, Erik Holt found space at the back post inside the six-yard area but whiffed his header into the ground and wide of the right post. It was arguably the best chance of the match for RSL.

The game ended 0-0.

Grabbing a point at home before heading on the road.#RSLvNSH | #SoccerForAll pic.twitter.com/Zw7tYaSqA4

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 16, 2021

Next Up

RSL will go on the road and take on FC Dallas next Saturday, May 22, with kickoff slated for 6 p.m.

The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL 5 TV app or on sports.ksl.com.

[ss-signup design_id=”2289525″]