Late goal by Niko Hansen gives Minnesota United 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake

You might have expected a left-side attacker making his Minnesota United debut to change Saturday's game at Real Salt Lake.

You're forgiven if you didn't expect it'd be veteran MLS midfielder Niko Hansen.

The second-half substitute's opportunistic, deflected 78th-minute goal sent the Loons home with a 1-1 draw that now makes them unbeaten in three games after they lost the season's first four.

Loons coach Adrian Heath's club won Saturday's statistical possession battle 53% to 48 but got only one shot out of 12 taken on goal. They did so on a night when Real Salt Lake flummoxed them with a successful 13th-minute set piece that produced a 1-0 lead the home team nurtured almost all night.

"The amount of ball we had, it's something I thought we deserved," Heath said about the point earned. "They probably thought they deserved all three. I probably would have settled for a point before the game because I know how difficult it is to play here. … Seven out of nine points now, so we're trending in the right direction."

Goalkeeper Tyler Miller made two saves in regulation time's final five minute to keep it even.

"He helped us stay in the game," Hansen said. "He made some amazing saves."

BOXSCORE: Loons 1, Real Salt Lake 1

The Loons played without star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso and veteran Ethan Finlay because each had a sore knee. Captain Ozzie Alonso didn't play, either, because of a thigh injury, the same area that sidelined Hansen for the season's first six games.

Center back Bakaye Dibassy came back from a thigh injury, started and played all 90 minutes. Heath called his presence "a big difference" and "another game we didn't lose. Look at his record when he has been with us and we don't lose too many."

Newly signed Argentine Franco Fragapane was the left-side attacker expected to make his MLS and Loons debut Saturday, just as recently signed striker Adrien Hunou did by starting and playing 65 minutes.

But Fragapane was ineligible to play because of delayed final paperwork to arrive from the Argentina soccer federation.

So Hansen stepped forth, entering the game in the 65th minute at the same position Fragapane plays. It took him 13 minutes to tie the score.

He positioned himself at the near post for Chase Gasper's crossing pass from the left side. RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath's two-handed punch bounded off Hansen's side/hip at the goal's edge and trickled just over the goal line.

"Right place, right time," said Hansen, who was acquired from Houston in March trade. "I found myself in a good spot."

Hansen impressed Heath with his preseason play, but that thigh injury continued to sideline him.

"He's quick, direct, good turn of pace," Heath said about Hansen. "He showed that in preseason. We saw enough in preseason to know he's a threat. He has a goal in him."

Heath has often said Hansen has a goal in him.

"Pretty much so far," Hansen said when asked if he has one every game.

His goal countered Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach's 13th-minute goal off a long free-kick set piece. RSL kicked short after the Loons left the field's right side unprotected.

"The first rule of any defender is don't turn your back to the game," Heath said.