MLS wrap: Drama in Salt Lake City, stalemate in LA

Real Salt Lake and New England Revolution played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the MLS at Utah’s Rio Tinto Stadium on Monday.

The home side found themselves down to 10 men after just three minutes when defender Nat Borchers was harshly ordered off for a foul on New England’s Benny Feilhaber inside the box, with Rajko Lekic converting the resulting spot-kick.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts after 16 minutes when a long-range Chris Tierney free kick beat the wall to give New England a 2-0 lead.

Real pulled a goal back halfway through the first half when Canada international Will Johnson knocked home an Andy Williams free-kick that rebounded off the post.

And Salt Lake were level 11 minutes after half-time when Revolution’s Kevin Alston handballed inside the box and Alvaro Saborio stepped up to score the penalty.

A glancing header from New England’s Shalrie Joseph put the visitors 3-2 up just after the hour mark, but defender Ryan Cochrane’s dismissal for a second yellow card on 67 minutes left the door open for the hosts.

And it was substitute striker Fabian Espindola who capped off a brilliant Real move seven minutes from the end to ensure a share of the spoils.

New England remain at the foot of the Eastern Conference following the draw, while Real stay fourth in the West.

In Monday’s other game, the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders played out a goalless draw at the Home Depot Center.

The result keeps the Galaxy at the head of the Western Conference, two point clear of Dallas and four ahead of third-placed Seattle.