Real Salt Lake opens new stadium with tie
Both teams gained a point and moved slightly closer to clinching an MLS playoff spot with two games remaining.
New York's Dave van den Bergh scored in the 31st minute, the first goal ever at Rio Tinto Stadium, and Jon Conway had five saves as the Red Bulls (9-10-9) ended a three-game losing streak. New York had allowed 11 goals during the skid, but kept Real from scoring again after Olave tied it in the 41st minute.
Real Salt Lake (9-10-9) didn't allow a shot on goal in the second half, but couldn't get anything past Conway, even after getting a one-man advantage when New York's Juan Pietravallo got a red card in the 83rd minute. Conway stopped three shots in the 4 minutes of extra time as Real tried to cap the opening night with a win, but all three were right at the goalkeeper's arms.
The 20,000-seat stadium, capped with scrolling white awnings over each side, is about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The stadium is a bowl carved out of the ground and the mountain peaks dominate the horizon.
The grand opening featured fireworks, streamers in Real's team colors of blue red and gold and even a halftime proposal — she said yes.
Van den Bergh scored on a clearing attempt. Nick Rimando had just made a save and Kyle Beckerman tried to clear it, but the ball went right to van den Berg in front and he drove it into the lower right corner.
Real tied it on a goal by Olave off Morales' corner kick. It was Morales' 15th assist since joining the club last summer, setting an RSL record.
Recent comments
Yeah, they game ended on a tie, but it was so exciting. I barely…
A person that went to the game | Oct. 10, 2008 at 12:26 a.m.
Soccer Rocks!!! The stadium is sweet. The noise and atmosphere…
The World Understands | Oct. 10, 2008 at 12:24 a.m.
If soccer is such a sissy sport, why in the world are you in here…
to sissy sports | Oct. 10, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.
