San Diego FC left it late but found a deserved way back into Sunday’s Major League Soccer fixture, earning a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium thanks to Victor Olatunji’s 85th-minute equalizer.
In an open, high-tempo contest in San Diego, both sides had stretches of control and both had reason to believe they could take all three points. Real Salt Lake were dangerous throughout, finishing with 21 shots and eight efforts on target, while San Diego FC enjoyed more of the ball with 58.3 percent possession and kept probing until the breakthrough arrived near the end.
The visitors struck first in the 17th minute when Sergi Solans (17′) put Real Salt Lake in front with a header, silencing the home crowd and rewarding an energetic opening spell from the away side. San Diego FC responded well, though, refusing to let the fixture drift away from them.
The equalizer came in the 27th minute, with Marcus Ingvartsen (27′) bringing San Diego level and restoring the balance before halftime. At 1-1, the match had already developed into an entertaining, evenly poised battle, and that scoreline held through the break.
San Diego FC had the edge in possession, but Real Salt Lake continued to look threatening on the transition and from advanced wide areas. The second half began with added bite, and the hosts picked up yellow cards for Noel Caliskan in the 40th minute and Griffin Dillon in the 49th as the midfield duels intensified.
Real Salt Lake regained the lead in the 56th minute through Anders Dreyer (56′), whose goal capped another incisive attacking move and put the visitors back in command. With that, San Diego FC were chasing the fixture once more, and Real Salt Lake looked well placed to see it out as the clock ticked down.
But the home side kept pushing. Their pressure finally paid off in the 85th minute when substitute Victor Olatunji (85′) delivered the equalizer, sending Snapdragon Stadium into celebration and ensuring San Diego FC had something tangible to show for their persistence.
The closing stages grew even more chaotic. Real Salt Lake’s Christopher McVey was booked in the 87th minute, as was Aníbal Godoy, before McVey was sent off in the 89th minute to leave the visitors down to 10 men for the final moments of stoppage time. San Diego FC pressed for a winner, but Real Salt Lake held on through 90+8 minutes to secure a hard-earned point on the road.
In the end, a draw felt like a fair reflection of an absorbing fixture. San Diego FC showed character to come from behind twice, while Real Salt Lake underlined their attacking threat and resilience despite the late red card. For the neutral, it was an MLS contest with plenty of tempo, chances and late drama; for both managers, there will be positives to take from a match that never lacked intensity.
Goal scorers: Sergi Solans (17′), Marcus Ingvartsen (27′), Anders Dreyer (56′), Victor Olatunji (85′).
