Sandy • As he prepared for his team’s first playoff game this week, Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna wanted to embrace the buzz of the postseason while avoiding one aspect of it.
Penalty kicks.
“They’re not nerve-wracking,” he said. “But we definitely never want to go to penalties in our stadium. There’s no point. We should be winning this in 90-minutes-plus.”
If only.
On Tuesday night, Luna was forced to watch his team lose to Minnesota United in agonizing fashion, 5-4 on penalty kicks, in Game 1 of a best-of-three series at America First Field.
RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath saved one of the six penalties he faced. But defender Justen Glad sailed his attempt over the goal and midfielder Braian Ojeda gave United the victory when he pinged his attempt off the crossbar.
“It‘s a crappy way to lose in soccer,” RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “But if you don‘t put it in the back of the net, they’re happy with that. They want to go to penalties.”
“It’s not fun,” MacMath said of ending the game on penalties. “I think this is my third or fourth PK shootout loss since I’ve been here.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad (15) reacts missing his kick, in MLS playoff action between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United in Sandy, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
RSL only got to that point thanks to MacMath’s goalkeeping and his seven saves in regulation.
“Zac played like the Zac I know. Kept us in the game, man,” Mastroeni said. “He stood on his head back there for us. And that’s what’s disappointing right? You have such a fantastic performance to keep it zeroes and we need to make plays.”
The veteran has prompted frustration, plenty of questions and even a brief benching during an up-and-down season. But on Tuesday night, MacMath was excellent in regulation.
Stranded one-on-one in the 71st minute, the goalie’s outstretched fist was the only thing that stopped a sure goal off the foot of Minnesota’s Tanitoluwa Oluwasey.
In the 83rd minute, MacMath made back-to-back saves, pushing Kevlin Yeboah’s shot away with two hands and then getting back up in time to take a point-blank right-footed strike from Bongokuhle Hlongwane in his chest.
RSL had 60% of the possession on Tuesday night, and finished with 11 shots to Minnesota’s 12.
Luna, who was subbed off in the 70th minute because of cramping in his calf, provided RSL with two of its best chances of the night.
After striker Chicho Arango forced a deep turnover, the midfielder fired a low shot that goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved in the 13th minute.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (8), in MLS playoff action between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United in Sandy, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
In the second half, Luna surprised United on a quick restart but St. Clair broke up his straight-line drive toward the goal. Arango was able to settle the ball and tried to sneak a shot past St. Clair, who was standing near the edge of the penalty box, but the chip shot went right into the goalie’s hands.
Winger Dominik Marczuk also provided a threat for RSL. In the 64th minute, he slipped behind the Minnesota defense but just missed the frame with his touch. Late in the game, Marczuk set up another opportunity, feeding a pass to Diogo Gonçalves — but the Portuguese attacker couldn’t get enough power on his shot to truly challenge St. Clair.
“There were a couple really clear opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net but we’re not making that final play,” Mastroeni said. “When you can’t do that it’s difficult to win games.”
Up next
Game 2 (Minnesota United leads 1-0)
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. MT
Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
TV: Apple TV+
