Luis Barraza made four saves and New York City FC escaped their trip to Real Salt Lake with a 0-0 draw on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.
Barraza’s performance was more about quality over quantity for NYCFC (4-7-6, 18 points), who remain winless in nine road games this season but have drawn four of those.
It was Barraza’s third shutout of the season and fifth of his MLS career, having earned the starting job after veteran Sean Johnson’s free-agent move to Toronto FC this past offseason.
The Cityzens earned a tough road result despite continuing attacking struggles. They’ve scored 17 goals through 17 games and are on pace to score 23 fewer than their 2022 season total of 57.
Real Salt Lake (5-7-5, 20 points) were held scoreless for the fifth time at home this season as they continue to struggle in front of the goal.
RSL will be adding former LAFC striker Cristian Arango as an international signing when the summer transfer window opens next month. This game highlighted the need for him.
The Claret and Cobalt led the Cityzens 20-5 in overall shots and 4-1 in efforts on target but could not break through.
After halftime, Salt Lake’s Jefferson Savarino and substitute Anderson Julio looked the most likely to score for either side.
Savarino forced Barraza into a save in the 47th minute and missed just wide of the left post in the 51st. Then in the 66th minute, his swerving strike had Barraza beaten, but it struck the right post.
Julio then had an excellent opportunity in the 82nd minute after he freed himself in the left side of the penalty area with a cutback. Barraza charged to block his first effort, and Julio sent his rebound attempt wide.
Julio had another open look on the break in second-half stoppage time, but Barraza again leaped off his line to foil the opportunity.
The best chance for NYCFC came in the 31st minute when Talles Magno’s shot forced Zac MacMath into his only save of the match at his near post.
–Field Level Media
