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SANDY — A positive spin on an otherwise lackluster evening for Real Salt Lake is that the Claret and Cobalt got their first shutout since August in a 0-0 draw Wednesday at America First Field against Minnesota United.
The lasting result, however, is that RSL has been held to three straight draws. That means just 3 points in the last three games, with Houston and Colorado within 3 points of stealing a top-four spot and home-field advantage from RSL over the final two weeks of the MLS season.
"The game had a real playoff feel to it and the margins are thin," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said of the match that also could've earned Minnesota a playoff berth with a win. "I think that's the mindset; and again, I think it's important to improve with every game."
Wednesday's match featured 21 total shots and seven on goal between the two teams with no goals to show for it.
"(In) the Portland game, we didn't defend set pieces really well; (and in) the Austin game, we didn't defend the box well. We did both of those things tonight," Mastroeni said of the defensive positives. "So on a day where you're not clinical in front of goal, those are huge steps, especially now."
Six yellow cards were handed out in a contentious affair, and RSL's Brayan Vera earned a red card during the final minutes of stoppage time after the referee checked the video review and said Vera spit on an opposing player.
Zac MacMath had three saves for the home team to start October with a clean sheet following a porous month of September when it conceded 11 goals in four matches.
RSL heads out on the road for its penultimate regular season match on Saturday in San Jose before a bye week ahead of the season finale at home against Vancouver on Oct. 19.
