Yet another tie for RSL: Scoreless draw on road

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — On a night where it faced multiple challenges, Real Salt Lake overcame the sturdiest one: zeroes on the scoreboard.

Real Salt Lake left Gillette Stadium on Saturday night with goalkeeper Nick Rimando's 13 saves, one red card to RSL newcomer Ritchie Kotschau and one precious point in the bag after a 0-0 draw with New England.

"To come into New England and get a point is big," Rimando said. "They are one of the best teams in the league. We knew it was going to be a struggle."

It was a difficult task from the opening whistle as New England laid siege on the RSL net. Rimando made 13 saves, many of the difficult variety, to keep the team's second consecutive shutout and earn the team its fourth tie in five matches since head coach Jason Kreis succeeded former boss John Ellinger.

"New England created chances," Kreis said. "They'll do that against any defense you throw out there."

RSL dodged one of its biggest pitfalls inside the first 10 minutes. Taylor Twellman, who entered the contest leading Major League Soccer with seven goals, shaved a header off the top of the crossbar from 6 yards after a Khano Smith cross.

"He's one of the dangerous guys in the box," Rimando said of Twellman. "I think we had enough pressure on him. Nine out of 10 times, he'll score that."

Freddy Adu pushed back late in the first half, exploiting the space in behind the Revolution wingers, with a pair of shots, while Chris Klein's 45th-minute strike, the best chance for RSL, was saved by a combination of Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis and the left post.

That was it for Real's offense on the evening, as the team remained compact and defended in numbers in the second half as the Revolution surged forward.

Despite New England's willingness to attack, Real Salt Lake kept the Revolution at bay with a compact backline that the Revolution could not unlock.

Kotschau gave New England a numerical advantage in the 82nd minute when his sliding tackle on Revs winger Brian Byrne came well after Byrne had passed the ball. Kotschau's dismissal after just 50 seconds on the field is the fastest for a playing debuting with a new team in MLS history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

"I've been there and done that," Kreis said of Kotschau's rash challenge. "This is his first game back after a long time out with an injury. He was a little bit overeager. I'm actually pleased with it now that the game is over because it gave us just another hurdle to climb."