SANDY, Utah -- The first meeting between USL Pro team Phoenix FC and Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake ended in a scoreless draw Monday night in front of a crowd of 8,263 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The match was highlighted by brawl that earned three red cards. Goalkeeper Andrew Weber and defender Renan Felipe Boufleur were ejected for Phoenix FC, and defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe was shown off for Real Salt Lake. The fight followed a scuffle after a missed Real Salt Lake free-kick attempt.
Phoenix FC was outmanned 10-9 for the remainder of the game. Wolves standout Netinho, who started on defense, also went down in the with what appeared to be a head injury in the second half after going up for a ball. He was replaced by Reid Schmitt in the 77th minute.
Real Salt Lake attacked furiously in the second half with the added advantage, but Phoenix FC's defense made key stops when needed. Goalkeeper Sheldon Parkinson, who was in for the ejected Weber, survived numerous wide shots and kept Real Salt Lake from finding the back of the net.
With time running down, Real Salt Lake pushed for one last chance but came up empty. Despite registering 24 shots to Phoenix FC's four, the match ended in a tie, with the outcome counting for each team's respective standings. Phoenix FC will earn one point for the away draw.
Monday's game was a part of the groundbreaking partnership announced by MLS and USL Pro earlier this year. As part of the partnership, each MLS side that isn't directly affiliated with a USL Pro club will play a home-and-home Reserve League series against a team from USL Pro. The Real Salt Lake reserves will travel to Arizona for this series' return leg at Phoenix FC on June 15 at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
