Sporting Kansas City kept pace in the Western Conference standings, forcing a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 28 at Children’s Mercy Park.

In a game that saw Matt Besler inducted into the Sporting Legends hall of honor, it was another former SKC player that did the damage. Former captain Johnny Russell notched Salt Lake’s goal just before the half, heading his shot past Jon Pulskamp to put Real on the board. Sporting would equalize in the 59th minute, when current captain Erik Thommy secured a pass from Manu Garcia and sent a curling shot into the back of the net. Both sides had chances to grab the game-winner, but could not outwit the keepers a second time. Sporting spent the last 14 minutes of the contest down a man following a second yellow card isssued to Jake Davis.

Pulskamp recorded seven saves as Salt Lake outshot Sporting 20-13, also claiming a nine-to-four advantage for shots on goal. Salt Lake’s final shot attempt had gotten past Pulskamp, but Jansen Miller successfully intervened at the goal line to block the shot. Sporting remain 12th in the Western Conference on 20 points, six points behind Colorado for the final playoff spot. SKC will travel to Colorado for a Friday evening kickoff at 8:30 p.m.

Elsewhere, St Louis City SC dropped their second straight contest, falling on the road to the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on Saturday night. Ezequiel Ponce netted the game’s only goal, slipping his shot into the lower left corner of the net in the 66th minute. City were left to play cautiously, as three of their players were booked in the first half. They were outshot 18-7, with just one of City’s shots on goal. Houston had all seven of the game’s corner kicks.

City remain on 15 points and 14th in the Western Conference. They travel to Salt Lake City for their next game Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m.