Real Salt Lake 0, FC Dallas 0 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

Despite taking more than 20 shots at goal, Real Salt Lake couldn't find a breakthrough as they were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts enjoyed a productive first half, taking 18 total shots as they searched fervently for the opening goal. In that time, they hit the woodwork twice, including from an eighth-minute shot from Douglas Martinez. But while they were active in front of goal, RSL were not necessarily effective — only three of their 18 shots were on target, each time saved by Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. Dallas rarely got forward, taking only two off-target shots in the first half, though got close when Bressan's 17th-minute shot hit the crossbar.

The dynamic of the second half was far more even, with Dallas able to sustain meaningful periods of possession and recording their first shot on target, a 60th-minute effort by Michael Barrios from close range. Still, the second period lacked clear-cut chances to break the deadlock as the game ticked toward a stalemate. RSL posted six shots in the second half, none on target, while Dallas added six more shots but just the two on target.

The result keeps Dallas in a playoff position, though with RSL in danger of dropping out by the end of the evening.

Goals

• None

Three Things

• THE BIG PICTURE: Real Salt Lake let a dominant first-half display slip away when they failed to score one of their 18 chances, and though they played fairly well, lacked an end product. Dallas will take positives from surviving the RSL onslaught in the first half, but similarly continue to struggle for goals, having scored only once in their last four games.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Jimmy Maurer played a critical role in the 0-0 game, demonstrating his shot-stopping ability on one of RSL's best chances, a 40th-minute effort from Damir Kreilach.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: It may have been an inconsistent game for attacking players, but Dallas goalkeeper Maurer was one of the few who delivered when it counted. Making three saves, he kept his side in the match during a difficult first half, which allowed Dallas to regain composure for the second.

Next Up

• RSL: Wednesday, October 28 at San Jose Earthquakes (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
• DAL: Wednesday, October 28 vs. Inter Miami (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)