Real Salt Lake Vs Minnesota United: 3 things we learned – Honors even
By Daniel Garza
On Friday night, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United played to a scoreless draw in Group D action. Here are three things we learned.
A rather uneventful scoreless draw between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United leaves Group D wide open entering the final matchday. The match did not feature many high-quality opportunities for either club. A first-half stoppage time shot by Robin Lod that hit the post was the closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock.
Friday night’s result leaves both clubs with four points. RSL will hold onto first place on goal differential as they face Sporting Kansas City in an all-important fixture which could decide first place in the group. Minnesota will take on the bottom of the table Colorado Rapids in hopes they can top the group if results go their way.
Here are three things we learned from the stalemate between RSL and Minnesota.
3. Albert Rusnak injury could hurt RSL’s chances
RSL Designated Player Albert Rusnak left in the first half of the match with an injury that did not look good. At the time of writing, it is unclear if the injury sustained will keep Rusnak out of the next match against Sporting KC, but that he was withdrawn early and with the game only four days away, the prospects are bleak.
Should Rusnak miss the Sporting KC tie, and potentially more matches in the MLS is Back Tournament beyond that, it would leave RSL without arguably their best and most influential offensive player.
Rusnak was crucial in the victory against the Colorado Rapids, scoring one of RSL’s two goals. After he left the field against Minnesota, RSL struggled to produce in attacking areas, creating very few chances. If this injury turns out to be a serious one, it could affect how far a previously exciting Real Salt Lake team can go in this tournament.