FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Nelson Palacio scored his first career goal in the eighth and final minute of second-half stoppage time and Real Salt Lake came from a three-goal second-half deficit to earn a 3-3 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday night, extending the club’s unbeaten run to 11.
Real Salt Lake (9-2-4) is off to the best start in franchise history, using a 7-0-4 run to climb to the top of the Western Conference. The last time Real Salt Lake led alone in the West was in August 2013. The club shared first place on April 30, 2016.
Neither team scored until Asier Illarramendi capitalized on a Patrickson Delgado assist in the fourth minute of stoppage time to score his second goal of the season and give Dallas (3-6-4) the halftime lead.
Dallas took a 3-0 lead when Delgado and Paul Arriola scored two minutes apart early in the second half. Delgado’s goal was the first of his career. The 20-year-old midfielder scored unassisted in the 57th minute. Arriola followed with his first goal of the campaign, assisted by Illarramendi.
Diego Luna began RSL’s comeback two minutes after Arriola’s goal, receiving passes from Andrés Gómez and 30-year-old debutant Matt Crooks to score for the third time this season. The assist was the fourth of the season for Crooks, making his 11th game and 13th appearance.
Maikel Chang set up Anderson Julio’s third goal of the season, pulling Real Salt Lake within a goal in the 73rd minute and setting the stage for Palacio, who found the net with an assist from Julio.
Zac MacMath finished with six saves for Real Salt Lake. Maarten Paes saved five shots for Dallas.
RSL’s unbeaten run matches the single campaign record set last season. The club had an 18-match unbeaten run in 2010-11 and a 16-match run in 2013-14.
Real Salt Lake took the point despite Dallas holding Chicho Arango scoreless. Arango started the day with a league-leading 13 goals, as well as eight assists.
Real Salt Lake played the first of three consecutive away matches after picking up 2-0 home wins over the Seattle Sounders and 5-3 over the Colorado Rapids. RSL recovered from 2-0 down to beat the Rapids, taking three points after trailing by two goals for the fourth time in the club’s 628-match history. Arango and Andrés Gómez scored two goals and an assist in the comeback victory.
Dallas has a 14-2-7 record in all-time home series with a 42-22 advantage in goals scored. Dallas has a 23-14-12 edge in the series overall.
Real Salt Lake remains on the road to face the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday. Dallas travels to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday.
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