Booth Nets First MLS Goal, Real Salt Lake Settles for Late Draw at Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Real Salt Lake appeared headed toward a valuable road victory Saturday night before a stoppage-time equalizer from Minnesota United forced the visitors to settle for a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field. Homegrown midfielder Zach Booth scored his first MLS goal in the 22nd minute, giving RSL the lead for most of the evening. However, Minnesota substitute Mauricio González found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time, rescuing a point for the Loons and denying Salt Lake all three points. The result leaves Real Salt Lake at 8-2-4 on the season with 26 points, concluding the first half of its 2026 MLS campaign on a five-match stretch that produced a 3-1-1 record and 10 points before the FIFA World Cup break. RSL started brightly and nearly opened the scoring early through teenage standout Zavier Gozo. The winger created multiple opportunities in the opening minutes, including a dangerous run in the 11th minute that resulted in a shot narrowly missing the target. Booth continued to pressure Minnesota's defense and was rewarded midway through the first half. Gozo delivered a cross into the area after receiving a pass from JuanMa Sanabria, and Booth calmly took a touch before firing a right-footed strike into the roof of the net for the first MLS goal of his career. The assist was Gozo's fifth of the season, tying him with Sanabria and Morgan Guilavogui for the team lead. The 18-year-old now has 11 goal contributions this year, including six goals. Salt Lake nearly doubled its advantage shortly after Booth's breakthrough. Sergi Solans forced Minnesota goalkeeper Drake Callender into action with consecutive shots on goal in the 24th and 25th minutes, but the visitors could not extend their lead. Minnesota generated several chances before halftime, with Tomás Chancalay testing goalkeeper Rafael Cabral in the 39th minute. Cabral responded with a key save to preserve RSL's 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

The second half saw Minnesota increase the pressure while Salt Lake's defense repeatedly answered the challenge. DeAndre Yedlin cleared a dangerous cross in the 48th minute, while center back Justen Glad delivered crucial defensive interventions throughout the half, including key blocks in the 56th and 78th minutes. Despite the defensive effort, Minnesota finally found an opening deep into stoppage time. Following a corner kick in the 93rd minute, González rose at the back post and headed home the equalizer to secure a point for the hosts. The draw extended one of Pablo Mastroeni's most impressive trends as RSL moved to 53-10-20 all-time when scoring first during his tenure as head coach. The match also marked a milestone for Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos, who made his MLS and Real Salt Lake debut as a second-half substitute. The former Real Monarchs player became the ninth player to make his MLS debut for RSL during the 2026 season. Real Salt Lake will now pause for the FIFA World Cup break before returning to league action on July 22 against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium. The club will then open its Leagues Cup campaign at home against Tigres UANL on August 4.