Another game, another questionable call against Real Salt Lake.
That's how some RSL players and most RSL fans must have felt after yet another controversial referee's decision cost the team points. Just four days after a very questionable red card left RSL with nine men in an eventual loss to San Jose, a dubious penalty called against Tony Beltran helped give FC Dallas a leg up in their Western Conference clash in Frisco, Texas on Wednesday night.
Brek Shea converted the penalty for Dallas, but RSL did rally to equalize courtesy of a goal from Emilio Bonfigli. Will Johnson delivered a beautiful pass that Bonfigli ran onto and finished expertly to help RSL salvage a draw and snap a two-match losing streak.
Playing without Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola, both out serving red card suspensions, RSL played FC Dallas even for much of the night, but the PK call against Beltran ultimately kept them from a precious road win. The call came just before halftime when Beltran attempted to clear a long free kick floated into the penalty area, only to have his clearance attempt deflect off teammate Chris Schuler and catch him in the arm as he slipped onto the turf.
Bonfigli equalized in the 72nd minute when he ran onto Johnson's pass, took a touch with his knee, and unleashed a quick left-footed shot past Chris Seitz.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? Agree or disagree with the referee's decision on the penalty? Think a draw was a fair result?
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