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RSL, RBNY Open Rio Tino Stadium With Lackluster 1-1 Draw

POSTED: 12:33 am EDT October 10, 2008

(Sports Network) - The New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake opened Major League Soccer's seventh soccer-specific stadium - Rio Tinto Stadium - on Thursday night with a lackluster 1-1 result in front of over 20,000 screaming fans just outside of Salt Lake City.

Neither team generated much offense, with corner kick goals by New York's Dave van den Bergh and RSL's Jamison Olave being the only offense in the pivotal inter-conference matchup.

The teams now sit even in the league's overall table at 36 points, but could find themselves outside the playoff picture looking in when the weekend fixtures are complete - depending on how D.C. United, Colorado and FC Dallas fare in their respective fixtures.

RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, making his 200th MLS start, made the save of the game up to that point when he robbed New York's Mike Magee just before the half-hour mark. After a free kick taken from the right side, Magee nodded a header on goal that Rimando had to make a quick reaction save on to knock out- of-bounds.

Rimando wasn't so fortunate on the ensuing corner kick, however. The corner was taken by Magee and was headed on goal by Seth Stammler, but it was cleared off the line by the defense. Van den Bergh then one-timed the rebound from the top of the 18-yard box with his left to give the Red Bulls (9-10-9) the early advantage, 1-0.

Van den Bergh's name will go in the record books as the first player to score a goal at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Olave put his name in the record books just over 10 minutes later by drawing even, becoming the first RSL player to score a goal in the team's new stadium.

After the New York defense let a Javier Morales corner kick bounce at the top of the six-yard box, Olave chipped an awkward shot home to tie at one.

That was how the score stayed the rest of the way. RSL had a chance to pull away late when New York's Juan Pietravallo was given a red card for spiking Clint Mathis in the head, drawing blood from the former Red Bull in the 83rd minute, but the home side couldn't take advantage of the extra man.

New York, which hasn't won since Sept. 13, hosts league-leading Columbus on Oct. 18 in its next league fixture while RSL (9-10-9) hosts FC Dallas later the same night.


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