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Real Salt Lake battles hard for draw against LAFC

RSL withstands goals from LAFC’s biggest stars in 2-2 tie.

Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan, shown during a game in February, scored the final goal in RSL's 2-2 draw with LAFC on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Real Salt Lake midfielder Noel Caliskan, shown during a game in February, scored the final goal in RSL's 2-2 draw with LAFC on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Real Salt Lake’s winless streak in Major League Soccer reached nine games on Saturday night in Sandy, but RSL did salvage a hard-earned 2-2 draw against LAFC.

In a seesaw battle, RSL endured goals from LAFC’s biggest stars — Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min — and got the final goal in the 75th minute to earn a point.

The draw snapped a four-game losing streak over all competitions for RSL.

With RSL trailing 2-1 in the 75th minute, midfielder Aiden Hezarkhani drilled a shot from about 15 yards out that was blocked by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. RSL’s Noel Caliskan scored off the rebound to tie the game.

The draw left RSL (8-9-5) in 10th place in the Western Conference, one spot shy of playoff position. LAFC (10-7-7) remained in third place.

LAFC’s Bouanga scored the opening goal in the 14th minute. Bouanga received a long pass, raced down the left side of the field, slowed down and beat RSL defender Philip Quinton with a shot just inside the far post.

RSL’s Saba Lobjanidze notched an equalizer in the 18th minute.

Heung-Min scored a go-ahead goal for LAFC in the 38th minute, but LAFC went scoreless in the second half.

RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral had two saves in the game, while LAFC’s Lloris notched seven.

RSL is scheduled to return to action Wednesday at Houston (6:30 p.m. MDT, Apple TV).

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