Real Salt Lake entered Saturday's game hungry for goals. The Claret and Cobalt have been on a shooting spree of late with over 50 shots in the last two games combined, but only two goals in that same period.
More of the same mental mistakes and uncharacteristic letdowns allowed Montreal an early goal and kept RSL from finding any sort of rhythm throughout the first half and only in spurts during the second.
That was enough to allow RSL back into the game with a 79th-minute Yura Movsisyan goal from the PK spot. But it wasn't enough to earn RSL a second game-winner.
Here are the player grades.
Nick Rimando (GK), 6, was not at his best Saturday night. This was most evident in the costly decision he made in the eighth minute, when he chose to punch down Laurent Ciman's free kick rather than attempt to handle it with three Impact players rushing into the six. Harry Shipp got to the rebound and slammed it past Rimando to give Montreal the early lead.
Demar Phillips (DEF), 8, was fine defensively, he was good in the buildup, but he was excellent in the attack. In fact, his run to the touchline in the 78th minute to hold the ball in by a hair's width, then nutmeg a Montreal defender, was not only one of the most athletic moments of the night, it was the move that spurred RSL's tying goal.
Justen Glad (DEF), 7, was a last-minute addition to the final 11 when Jamison Olave was pulled out due to muscle tightness. He had his hands full with Montreal's speedy and crafty lone striker, Dominic Oduro, pressing the attack much of the night. Between Aaron Maund and Glad, they did well to keep him relatively well-contained. And while Glad had a couple of errant passes, he shook the error monkey off his back with a solid performance Saturday night.
Aaron Maund (DEF), 8, continues to be a solid and calming presence in the back. With his speed he's able to track back and correct errors made in the midfield. With his athleticism he's excellent in the air and just simply wears out opposing attackers. Saturday night was one of his strongest outings at Rio Tinto this season, where he did all of these things and more to keep RSL in the game.
Chris Wingert (DEF), 7, played at right back in place of Tony Beltran, who was suspended from Saturday night's game for yellow card accumulation. Wingert was solid defensively. He also was able to get into the attack a couple of times, but his crossing off his weaker right foot lacked the quality RSL is used to from Beltran at that position. But while Beltran's speed and foot-skills were missed, Wingert's interplay with Burrito Martinez along the sideline much of the night was one of the nice bright spots.
Omar Holness (MID), 5, had his first start for RSL at home Saturday night. He looked uncomfortable. He was slotted into the box-to-box midfielder role where his energy was excellent but he just couldn't adjust to the speed of the game and consequently his passing and interplay, especially in the build-up through the midfield, and offensively, lacked quality.
Javier Morales (MID), 7, was much better in the second half with Luke Mulholland on the field. Passes were crisper and decisions faster. The first half, however, was a different story. He seemed out of synch and his poor passing was one of the reasons RSL only had three shots in the first half.
Kyle Beckerman (MID), 8, appeared to be the only player for RSL in standard form for much of the game Saturday night. His passing was simple and spot-on. It ended up being the saving grace in the midfield, with so many others mis-hitting balls and receiving passes too lackadaisically. Beckerman also played his typical hard-nosed, wrecking defense, which was sorely needed against Montreal's packed midfield. Beckerman earned a necessary yellow card late in the second half, which means he will sit out RSL's Wednesday night match against Vancouver.
Juan Manuel Martinez (FWD), 7, was slightly off his game Saturday night. Too many of his passes were poorly timed and placed and he was lazy receiving the ball a few too many times. That said, a Burrito at 70 percent is still very dangerous. He was subbed out midway through the second half in hopes that his replacement, Jordan Allen, could bring something new to the attack.
Yura Movsisyan (FWD), 7, came into Saturday's game clearly hoping to prove that last week's gaffe that played into RSL's draw was a fluke. Offensively he was sharp. His runs were strong and creative and his holdup play was excellent. Unfortunately, his defending let him down, when in the eighth minute he failed to follow his mark into the 6-yard box where Harry Shipp had a free shot off a Rimando rebound. Movsisyan didn't quit, and redeemed his early mistake with a much needed 79th-minute goal off the PK won by fellow strike partner Joao Plata.
Joao Plata (FWD), 7, looked as though he'd just played two games earlier in the week rather than the eight-day rest Real had this past week. He struggled to get around the much bigger and very physical Hassoun Camara, who he was matched up against most of the night. His runs lacked the creativity Plata typically brings to the game. His passing was good, especially along the top of the 18-yard box, but it was his simple 78th minute run into the box that put RSL at the penalty spot for Movsisyan's tying goal.
Luke Mulholland (SUB, 45', MID), 8, came on for Omar Holness and made an immediate impact. Defensively he was much better positioned and Montreal struggled the entire second half to build out of the backfield with Mulholland's addition. But it was his passing and confidence in the final third that made the biggest difference, and while RSL continued to struggle with finishing quality, they were much better going forward.
Jordan Allen (SUB, 68', FWD), 7, subbed on for Juan Manuel Martinez and did well to maintain game speed and at the same time add a new dimension to the attack. His fresh legs and new ideas created some much needed space in the attack.
Olmes Garcia (SUB, 81', FWD), 6, came on for Chris Wingert as Jordan Allen dropped into the wing vacated by Wingert. Garcia added speed and energy to the attack when RSL played the ball into his lanes. But what Garcia brings in terms of speed and energy he lacks in terms of patience and calmness on the ball.
Chris Higbee is a longtime contributor to DeseretNews.com, writing about sports, the arts and social commentary.