SANDY, Utah – Captain Kyle Beckerman’s return from injury wasn’t quite enough to propel host Real Salt Lake to a win on Saturday night, as Chivas USA salvaged a 1-1 draw in a battle between the Western Conference foes at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Beckerman suited up for the first time since suffering a foot injury in late May, and earned the start and 62 minutes on the field.
But surprisingly, it was his replacement who earned the kudos for RSL. Midfielder Ned Grabavoy scored the lone tally for the defending champs on a brilliant volley from outside the Chivas USA penalty box in the 66th minute after an RSL corner kick was seemingly cleared out of harm’s way.
Chivas USA sub Jesus Padilla leveled the match just four minutes later on one of the few flubs this season by RSL All-Star goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Padilla pounded a seemingly routine shot from 30 yards out that Rimando tried to clear, but the ball bounded downward and between his legs before drifting into the net.
RSL forward Álvaro Saborío generated the best scoring chances for either team during a sluggish first half, but failed to capitalize on chances in both the 37th and 44th minutes.
Despite the draw, RSL extended their franchise-record home unbeaten streak to 19 matches dating back to May 2009, second all-time in league history. They are 12-0-7 at home during the streak, and 6-0-3 at Rio Tinto this season.
Scoring Summary:
RSL -- Ned Grabavoy 2 (unassisted) 66
CHV -- Jesus Padilla 4 (unassisted) 70
Misconduct Summary:
CHV -- Rodolfo Espinoza (caution; Reckless Foul) 28
RSL -- Kyle Beckerman (caution; Reckless Tackle) 51
CHV -- Mariano Trujillo (caution; Reckless Tackle) 54
CHV -- Dan Kennedy (caution; Delaying a Restart) 78
RSL -- Alvaro Saborio (caution; Dissent) 82
Chivas USA -- Dan Kennedy, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umana, Dario Delgado, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud (Ben Zemanski 46), Paulo Nagamura (Jesus Padilla 69), Blair Gavin, Rodolfo Espinoza, Justin Braun, Giancarlo Maldonado (Carlos Borja 82).
Substitutes Not Used: Jorge Flores, Marcelo Saragosa, Chukwudi Chijindu, Kevin Guppy.
Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman (Ned Grabavoy 62), Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Alvaro Saborio (Pablo Campos 83), Fabian Espindola (Robbie Findley 68).
Substitutes Not Used: Rauwshan McKenzie, Robbie Russell, Jean Alexandre, Tim Melia.
Referee: Mark Geiger
Referee's Assistants: Paul Scott; Peter Manikowski
4th Official: Ramon Hernandez
Time of Game: 1:52
