HOUSTON — For the second time in three weeks a late goal cost Real Salt Lake a victory.

Under the circumstances though, it probably doesn't sting quite as much. Facing the best team in MLS and doing so the final half hour with only 10 men, RSL can live with settling for a 1-1 tie against Houston on Saturday night despite the late goal.

Brian Ching's 90th minute header prevented RSL from snapping Houston's 10-game unbeaten streak a week after it snapped Los Angeles' 10-game unbeaten streak. RSL now stands at 4-6-4 and in the Western Conference.

Fabian Espindola opened the scoring in the 28th minute when he banged a shot off Houston defender Bobby Boswell.

RSL played the final 32 minutes with 10 men after defender Jamison Olave picked up his second yellow card of the match.

Nick Rimando helped RSL maintain its 1-0 lead in the 74th minute when he saved a very poorly struck penalty kick by Brad Davis. Rimando has now saved 12 of the 41 penalty kicks he's saved in his MLS career. He was helpless to save Ching's tying goal though.

RSL returns to action next Saturday at home against Toronto FC.

E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com