Mauricio González Heads Stoppage-Time Equalizer as Minnesota United Draw Real Salt Lake 1-1 Before World Cup Break

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota United had two goals taken away and was staring at a home loss heading into the long World Cup break. Then a 21-year-old substitute changed the mood of the summer. Mauricio González headed in Joaquín Pereyra's cross in the third minute of stoppage time on Saturday, giving the Loons a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake in front of 19,838 at Allianz Field.

It was González's first MLS goal, in his sixth career appearance, according to the Associated Press. It also stopped Minnesota from heading into a roughly two-month break on a loss, though the draw left the Loons winless in four straight at 6-5-4.

Booth Puts RSL in Front

Real Salt Lake took the lead in the 22nd minute through Zach Booth, a Utah-born product of the club's academy. Zavier Gozo slipped the ball wide to the right side of the box, and Booth took a touch before blasting a shot into the top netting, the AP reported. It was Booth's first MLS goal, according to RSL, in his second straight start.

Gozo's assist was his fifth of the season, tying him for the team lead, the club noted. JuanMa Sanabria was also credited with an assist.

Minnesota was without its leading scorer. Kelvin Yeboah, who leads the team with eight goals, did not play after missing Friday's training for what the club called an "internal matter," the AP reported. Real Salt Lake was missing Diego Luna, who sat out with muscle tightness.

Dieng Denied Twice

Mamadou Dieng started up top for Minnesota and did his job twice, only to see both goals ruled out for offside, according to the club's match report. The second came deep into first-half stoppage time, when Dieng headed in a set-piece delivery from Tomás Chancalay at 45+4, only for it to be ruled offside.

Minnesota pushed for most of the second half. Bongokuhle Hlongwane came on for Kyle Duncan in the 65th minute and fired wide six minutes later, and Morris Duggan headed over the bar in the 80th, according to the club. RSL's stats showed Minnesota with an 11-8 edge in shots but only two on target, while RSL picked up yellow cards for DeAndre Yedlin and Noel Caliskan.

Head coach Cameron Knowles made a double change in the 77th minute, sending on González for Anthony Markanich and Wil Trapp for Nectarios Triantis. Late in the game he added Fitz and Marcus Caldeira, who made his MLS debut.

Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni kept the same starting lineup that beat Colorado 2-1 the week before, only the second time in 14 matches he had started the same 11 in back-to-back games, according to RSL. Under Mastroeni, RSL is 53-10-20 when scoring first, the club noted, and Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos made his debut off the bench in the second half.

A First Goal at the Last Moment

The equalizer started with a ball from about 27 yards out on the left side, the AP reported. Pereyra played it into the area and González flicked a header inside the back post. The club credited Pereyra and captain Michael Boxall with the assists and listed the goal at 90+3.

"It's a good performance, and it's a good point," Knowles said afterward, according to the club's postgame quotes, pointing to how late it came and to the impact of his substitutes. He also praised the finish as well taken. Chancalay was named the Bell Bank Man of the Match.

Into the Break

Real Salt Lake left with a point that kept it near the top of the West. RSL's site listed the club third in the Western Conference with 26 points, while the AP listed RSL at 8-4-2 and noted it is 1-3-2 on the road. Minnesota sat sixth in the West with 22 points, according to RSL. Minnesota has now gone unbeaten in six straight against RSL, the AP noted.

Knowles told reporters the break would work like a mini preseason once the players return from required time off, according to the club, and said James Rodríguez's priority is now the World Cup. The club said recruitment is ongoing during the transfer window.

Minnesota returns to MLS play on July 22 at Sporting Kansas City. Real Salt Lake visits LAFC the same night. For González, the wait for the next match will be long, but he will spend it as an MLS goal scorer.

Photo Credit: Jeremiah Rogers/Undrafted