Season Ends For Real Salt Lake On Penalty Kicks For Third Straight Year
Nov 2, 2024, 9:27 PM | Updated: 9:29 pm
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 02: Justen Glad #15 of Real Salt Lake and Kelvin Yeboah #9 of Minnesota United compete for the ball in the first half in Game Two of the First Round during the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs at Allianz Field on November 02, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota—Real Salt Lake forced penalty kicks, but it did not matter as the Claret & Cobalt’s season ended following a 2-1 loss in Minnesota. RSL missed three out of four PKs, ending the season with a disappointing result.
Sixth-seeded Minnesota United FC hosted No. 3 RSL in game two of the MLS Western Conference first-round series on Saturday, November 2.
MIN: ✅✅❌✅
RSL: ✅❌❌❌— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 3, 2024
First Half
Brayan Vera returned from suspension while leading goal scorer Chicho Arnago began the match as a reserve for RSL. Minnesota generated the first scoring chance of the match on an early throw-in, but Real Salt Lake was able to recover and clear the ball.
Minnesota had another scoring chance at the 12-minute mark, but Zac MacMath got just enough of the shot with his right foot to direct the ball wide of goal.
Big save to keep it zeros from MacMath! #RSL @kslsports | @realsaltlake pic.twitter.com/Iul8TZA8gf
— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) November 3, 2024
RSL controlled possession in the first 20 minutes but could not generate much pressure against a stiff Minnesota defense.
A poor touch from Justin Glad set Minnesota up for another goal-scoring chance. With no defenders between him and the ball, MacMath managed a finger-tip deflection on a Kelvin Yeboah shot to send the ball harmlessly outside the post.
RELATED: RSL Come Up Short On Penalties, Head To Minnesota
How did MacMath get to that?! 😳
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/XPVEk0eOoT // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AZuDUDb4UW
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 3, 2024
The Loons continued generating chances but could not convert a shot on frame. Minnesota controlled the latter portion of the half, finishing the opening period with eight shots and three on frame, compared to just four attempts for RSL.
Second Half
Brayan Vera found the back of the net in the opening moments of the half, but VAR determined Matt Crooks was offside, negating the match’s first goal.
Minnesota finally broke through eight minutes into the second half. An excellent build put the ball at Yeboah’s feet. Yeboah touched a pass to Joseph Rosales, who beat MacMath to the bottom right corner.
The goal to put @MNUFC up on @realsaltlake#RSL | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/VpyvBFqbxZ
— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) November 3, 2024
With a goal advantage, Minnesota United’s already stout defense turned the pressure up a notch.
Arango entered for Anderson Julio in the 72nd minute, looking for his first goal since July 4, 2024.
Minutes later, Crooks connected with Emeka Eneli to tie the game 1-1.
RELATED: Emeka Eneli Gives Real Salt Lake Life With Second-Half Goal
GOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL! He'll do it himself! Eneli scores to tie it up 1-1!!! @realsaltlake | @kslsports | #RSL pic.twitter.com/0NpuwVe9WW
— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) November 3, 2024
Ten minutes of stoppage time was added thanks to many second-half stoppages.
Real Salt Lake controlled most of stoppage time but couldn’t break through a second time, forcing penalty kicks to decide the match.
Penalties
Chicho Arango – RSL: GOAL
Kelvin Yeboah – Minnesota United: GOAL
Diogo Gonçalves – RSL: Saved
Hassani Dotson – Minnesota United: GOAL
Matt Crooks – RSL: Missed
Wil Trapp – Minnesota United: Missed
Diego Luna – RSL: Saved
Jeong Sang-Bin – Minnesota United: GOAL
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How To Watch Real Salt Lake
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
