Rafael Cabral made three saves to help Real Salt Lake record a 0-0 tie with the Portland Timbers in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday.
In the 89th minute, Cabral stopped a close-in shot by Omir Fernandez, whose follow-up was cleared off the goal line by Sam Junqua to preserve Cabral’s third shutout of the season.
Real Salt Lake (4-7-2, 14 points) is 1-1-2 in the past four matches.
Portland’s Maxime Crepeau had one save for his second shutout in four matches this season.
The Timbers (6-3-4, 22 points) are 5-1-4 in the past 10 matches.
Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna had a three-match goal streak (four goals scored) end while Antony’s five-match assist streak was snapped a match shy of tying the Portland record.
There was little difference between the team in the first half with each putting one of their four shots on target.
Portland got the first crack at scoring in the sixth minute when Antony from a tight angle forced a save by Cabral. It was RSL’s turn 10 minutes later when Junqua found space at the top of the box for a strike that was easily covered by Crepeau.
There were a pair near-goals with a shot from distance by Portland’s David Da Costa going over the bar in the 31st and just before the break, RSL rookie Zavier Gozo was open for a split-second in the center of the box before Claudio Bravo closed to make a block.
Antony at the hour mark had an opportunity for his fifth goal of the season with a shot a shot from the left side of the box that was saved.
Real Salt Lake was without forward William Agada (red card) and defender Justen Glad (yellow-card accumulation). Both will be available Saturday at Colorado.
–Field Level Media
