Minnesota United relied on Joaquin Pereyra and Marcus Caldeira to end a nine-match winless streak in all competitions in Leagues Cup on Tuesday.
The Loons needed that duo to salvage a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake in a return to MLS play Saturday at America First Field in Sandy, Utah
RSL forward Sergi Solans scored in the 82nd minute, but a desperation play in the 89th minute kept MNUFC from a defeat.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender booted a long ball; substitute striker Marcus Caldeira nodded a flick-on header; and Joaquin Pereyra ran onto it and scored. Caldieria had two assists and Pereyra two goals in a 3-1 win over Atlante earlier this week.
RSL (8-6-3, 27 points) has now only lost once (to Inter Miami and Lionel Messi) in 11 home matches this season. MNUFC (6-6-6, 24 points) had some late heroics, but its MLS winless lull stretches to eight matches.
Loons coach Cameron Knowles acknowledged Caldeira’s performance versus Atlante makes decisions on a starting XI tougher. But Knowles still started Momo Dieng on Saturday, with Caldeira subbing on in the 86th minute.
Minnesota managed only one shot on target in the first half, with Anthony Markanich’s chip, but it was saved off the goal line by Lukas Engel.
RSL had two shots on target in the first half, but none after after the 17th minute.