A lofted finish in the 89th minute
Marcus Caldeira nods on a long ball. Joaquin Pereyra is suddenly through on goal inside the box. Rafael Cabral comes off his line to close the angle. The Argentine lifts it over the keeper and watches it roll into the empty net. 1-1 in Sandy, Utah, in the 89th minute.
Real Salt Lake thought they had the win wrapped up. Sergi Solans had put them in front eight minutes earlier, heading home a cross from Diego Luna. Minnesota United answered with almost the same move, an aerial flick and a delicate finish.
This was the eighth draw in 10 meetings between the two clubs. The second this season, and the second time the Loons have clawed back a result late on. On 23 May, Mauricio Gonzalez levelled in the 90th+3 for the same scoreline.
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Solans scores, then misses two big chances
Solans’ goal was his eighth of the season, the best tally at Real Salt Lake. He should have had a ninth. In the 66th minute, his close-range effort drifts wide left. In the 86th, his next attempt crashes off the right post.
It was a flat start, with the game stuck in midfield for long spells. RSL had 64% of the ball in the first half but managed only three shots, two on target. Minnesota had eight efforts before the break and never tested the keeper.
Drake Callender kept his side in it. He made six saves in all, including a crucial stop in the 59th minute to deny Stijn Spierings after Diego Luna had picked him out in behind. Cabral had just one save to make, sliding to keep out Mamadou Dieng after a scramble from a free kick.
Pereyra strikes again, Minnesota keeps moving
For Pereyra, it was his second MLS goal of the season. And his third in a week. The Argentine midfielder had already scored twice late on Tuesday in the 3-1 win over Atlante in the Leagues Cup.
In the standings, Real Salt Lake stay ahead with 28 points (8-6-4). Minnesota trail on 25 (6-6-7). Seven draws for the Loons, a number that starts to sting when the playoff race tightens.
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