No Jamison Olave, no Fabian Espindola, no problem for Real Salt Lake. Okay, maybe a little trouble, because they managed only a 1-1 draw, not a win against FC Dallas, but without two key pieces they will be quite happy with their point. Brek Shea got Dallas on the board by converting a penalty, but rookie Emiliano Bonfigli scored his first MLS goal to earn the visitors a well-deserved draw in Texas.
FC Dallas Vs. Real Salt Lake, 2012 MLS: RSL Comes Back To Earn 1-1 Draw
Salt Lake struggled to get much going in the first half. Alvaro Saborio had a chance just a couple minutes into the match when Paulo Jr. fed him, but Chris Seitz was there to make the save, but that was one of a scant few opportunities the visitors had in the first 45 minutes.
Dallas took control of the match early on and they caught a break when Tony Beltran was whistled for a handball. It was a harsh call, albeit unsurprising considering referee Geoff Gamble has now pointed to the spot nine times in his 11 matches as a MLS referee. Shea stepped to the spot and sent Nick Rimando the wrong way with a cool penalty that put Dallas in front.
The second half brought some more possession and chances than they had in the first half. That paid off in the 72nd minut when Bonfigli, who had come on just three minutes earlier, latched onto a gorgeous chipped pass by Will Johnson and poked the ball past Seitz as RSL earned a good point away from home.
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