Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles Galaxy Play To Scoreless Draw (VIDEO)

Nov 1, 2014; Sandy, UT, USA; A general view of Rio Tinto Stadium during the second half of the match between Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Cassar’s Real Salt Lake and Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy were only able to secure a scoreless draw on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah in the 2014 MLS Western Conference Semifinals. The draw makes things a bit more straightforward for RSL, as a 1-1 draw or better will see them through to the next round. As for the Galaxy, it’s either win or offseason on Nov, 9 in the second leg at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Jaime Penedo was a monster in goal for the Galaxy and is the MLS Multiplex Man of the Match for his six saves. For the Galaxy, they feel confident heading into the second leg.

That’s not a bad result away from home,” forward Robbie Keane told MLSSoccer.com’s Scott French. “It’s a tough place to come, and certainly when you’re nil-nil at halftime and the wind is with them, obviously it suits them better for the second half. We were going for the goal, but we defended well.

“The most important thing is we have to understand when we’re playing these games that you don’t lose. It was a good team performance tonight, everyone defended well as a group. Of course, you want to score as many goals as you can, but if you’re not going to do that, you have to defend properly for the team.”

“A sloppy game,” Arena added. “The altitude, the wind, the field conditions made for a difficult game, so to get out here 0-0, we lay it on the line next week. We have to win at home.

“[Officiating] is what it is. It’s been like that all year. It’s not going to change in the playoffs.”

Real Salt Lake know that a 1-1 draw will be enough because of the away goals rule finally put into place after several years of being ignored.

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“Of course, we wanted to win,” said RSL defender Tony Beltran to MLSSoccer.com’s Scott Pierce. “We were pushing for a goal there at the end. But we’re in a very good position.”

“We put ourselves in a really good position,” said defender Nat Borchers. “We didn’t give up any goals to them, because those away goals, they count more this year. That was important. So if we tie 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 out there, we go through. So I think we have the upper hand.”

“I thought we played a great game on both sides of the ball tonight,” Cassar added. “Obviously, their goalkeeper had a very, very good night. On a different night, we could be in an unbelievable position.

“But right now, I think we’re in a great position, especially with these away goals. If we’re going to create this many chances possibly in LA, I give us a really good chance.”

Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman summed up the opinion of his club after what is essentially the halftime break in the full scope of things.

“Of course, I’d rather be up 3-0 than 0-0,” Beckerman said. “But we all knew this was a 180-minute game and whether we were winning or we were tied or losing, there’s still a lot left to play. We’ve just got to go do it.”

Team Statistics

Real Salt Lake on left, Los Angeles Galaxy on right

Real Salt Lake Player Ratings

Nick Rimando 5, Chris Schuler 6, Chris Wingert 5.5, Nat Borchers 6, Tony Beltran 5.5, Javier Morales 7, Kyle Beckerman 7, Luis Gil 7, Luke Mulhollan 7, Alvaro Saborio 7, Joao Plata 6

Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings

Jaime Penedo 10, A.J. DeLaGarza 7, Dan Gargan 7, Omar Gonzalez 6.5, Robbie Rogers 6.5, Baggio Husidic 5, Juninho 6, Landon Donovan 6, Marcelo Sarvas 6, Gyasi Zardes 6, Robbie Keane 7, Alan Gordon NR