Joaquin Pereyra scored in the 89th minute to help Minnesota United escape with a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday in Sandy, Utah.
Sergi Solans scored in the 82nd minute as Salt Lake (8-6-4, 28 points) tied Minnesota for the second time this year and for the eighth time in their last 10 matchups.
Drake Callender had six saves for Minnesota (6-6-7, 25 points) and Rafael Cabral had one save for RSL.
It was the second time this year that the Loons scored a late goal to earn a draw with RSL. On May 23, Mauricio Gonzalez tallied three minutes into second-half stoppage time in a 1-1 deadlock.
Solans’ goal was his team-high eighth this season but the tally was sandwiched around two golden opportunities where Solans failed to deliver from point-blank range.
His first attempt was mishit and went wide left in the 66th minute. His final try, in the 86th minute, clanged off the right post.
In a static first half, which was largely played in the middle of the field, neither team generated significant opportunities.
RSL had 64% of the possession but took just three shots, two of which were on target. Minnesota attempted eight first-half shots, none of them on frame.
Diego Luna gave RSL their best chance to that point in the 59th minute, delivering a through ball to Stijn Spierings in the middle of the box, but Callender bolted off the goal line and spoiled Spierings’ right-footed flick.
Moments later, Minnesota had three chances after a free kick from just outside the box. After the first two shots were blocked by defenders, the rebound came to Mamadou Dieng who was alone on the right side of the box. Cabral darted from the goal area and made a sliding save.
After Solans’ go-ahead goal, which was assisted by Luna with a headed pass, Minnesota retaliated in similar fashion, with Marcus Caldeira running under a long ball and heading it forward for Pereyra.
Cabral came far off the goal line to meet Pereyra, but the Argentine midfielder flicked a looping shot over the keeper and into the open goal for his second MLS goal this season and third tally of the week.
He also scored two late goals in Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Atlante in a Leagues Cup match on Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
