Short-handed Real Salt Lake battle for 1-1 draw with LAFC

Without their top two scorers, visiting Real Salt Lake received a goal from Brayan Vera and forged a 1-1 tie against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday in a battle of two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Real Salt Lake were without Cristian Arango (17 goals), MLS’ leading scorer, because of a four-match suspension for violation of the league’s anti-harassment policy. The club was also missing Andres Gomez (11 goals) because of yellow-card accumulation.

Even while missing plenty of offensive production, RSL (12-4-8, 44 points) still managed to rebound from a 3-0 road loss against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, as goalkeeper Zac MacMath made four saves.

Cristian Olivera scored a goal for LAFC (13-5-5, 44 points), who lost their second consecutive home match. Los Angeles was humbled, 5-1, by the Columbus Crew on Saturday in the worst home loss in franchise history.

On Wednesday, Hugo Lloris had two saves for LAFC, who had a 10-match MLS unbeaten streak and a 16-match home unbeaten streak across all competitions come to an end with Saturday’s setback.

LAFC struck first in the fifth minute when Olivera pounced on a misplay from MacMath and scored past the goalkeeper, who was well off his line at the edge of the penalty area. It was Olivera’s fifth goal of the season.

Real Salt Lake got even in the 33rd minute when Vera’s free kick from 30 yards out glanced off the heel of Los Angeles midfielder Ilie Sanchez and went past Lloris, just inside the left post. It was Vera’s first goal of the season.

RSL, who entered Wednesday tied for the Western Conference lead with 48 goals, were held to one or fewer goals in consecutive matches for just the third time this season.

LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz had an open look at a go-ahead goal in the 79th minute, but his shot, coming on the run after a long pass from Denis Bouanga, went wide right.

Los Angeles lost midfielder Timothy Tillman to an apparent left hamstring injury in the 17th minute.

–Field Level Media