In just three short seasons from 2017-19, Jefferson Savarino burst onto the Utah soccer scene, writing himself into the Real Salt Lake record books by cracking the Club’s all-time top 10 in both scoring (21 goals, 10th overall) and assists (21 helpers, 6th overall).
As he prepares to make his triumphant return to the Wasatch Front, here’s a look back at some of Savarino’s brightest and most shining moments in Claret-and-Cobalt.
July 4, 2017: In one of Real Salt Lake’s greatest regular-season road victories, the Claret-and-Cobalt smacked Western Conference rivals LA Galaxy in Southern California. Five different goal scorers found their way onto the scoresheet, including Savarino, who notched his first-ever brace for RSL just a couple months after his arrival at the Club. The first of his two goals arrived in the 72nd minute, when a poor clearance from an LA Galaxy defender saw the ball land at the Venezuelan’s feet at the top of the penalty box. Savarino took a touch around the defender before ripping a shot past the goalkeeper. Just five minutes later he did it again, tapping in a rebound for the double, also adding two assists during the massive 6-2 win. The two goals marked his first and second for Real Salt Lake
September 16, 2017: During his first year with the Club, Savarino became synonymous with impressive goals, and his keen ability to put himself in positions to score. His craftiness and skill on the ball produced numerous highlight-worthy moments, including a golazo against Portland Timbers. In the 61st minute he found himself unmarked at the top of the 18-yard-box, where he launched a shot into the top left corner of the goal, well out of reach of the goalkeeper. The goal would go on to be the eventual game winner in a 2-1 victory over the Timbers.
August 4, 2018: In addition to scoring impressive goals, Savarino upped the ante in his second year, contributing a team-high 11 assists. Against Chicago he set up both goals in the team’s 2-1 victory, providing assists to current Captain Damir Kreilach in the 48th and 75th minutes. The assists were his fifth and sixth of the season, respectively.
May 25, 2019: Welcoming Atlanta United to Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time ever, the two sides were deadlocked at 1-1 heading into second-half stoppage time. At the death, Everton Luiz passed the ball to Savarino, who fought off a defender to find open space. From 20 yards out he rocketed a shot, tucking it inside the far post for the late-game winner.
October 19, 2019: In the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Real Salt Lake was facing the prospect of extra time at Rio Tinto Stadium against Portland, tied 1-1 with the end of regulation quickly approaching. But in the 87th minute, Joao Plata sent a pass across the top of the 18-yard-box, where Albert Rusnák dummied it for an unmarked Savarino. Running onto the ball, Savarino skipped his shot inside the near post to secure the win and advance to the Western Conference Semifinal. The goal would be his last in Claret-and-Cobalt, well, at least until – how soon?
