PORTLAND, Oregon (Sunday, October 21, 2018) – Real Salt Lake (14-13-7, 49 points) closed out the regular season with a 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park. RSL went into halftime with just a 1-0 deficit, but couldn’t close the gap and allowed two late goals to put the game out of reach.
GK Nick Rimando finished the afternoon with five saves, but so did Portland keeper Steve Clark to hold RSL scoreless.
Portland got out to the lead in the 15th minute when Larrys Mabiala volleyed home a free kick by Diego Valeri, staking the Timbers to the 1-0 advantage. RSL had five shots in the first half, including a threatening header by MF Kyle Beckerman and out-possessed the Timbers, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
In the second half, RSL had opportunities to tie the game up, but Clark made a big save on a shot by DF Justen Glad to prevent RSL from drawing level. Then in the 68th minute Diego Chara scored one and later Sebastian Blanco added another in the 87th minute to end the match with a 3-0 score line.
Real Salt Lake now awaits the result when the LA Galaxy hosts the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, October 28, to determine its playoff fate. A loss or draw for the Galaxy would send RSL into the Knockout Round.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
POR: Larrys Mabiala (Diego Valeri) 15th minute – On a free kick from 30 yards out, Diego Valeri found Larrys Mabiala for a volley at the right post, sneaking his shot past Nick Rimando for his fifth goal of the season to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead.
POR: Diego Chara (Sebastian Blanco) 68th minute – Sebastian Blanco led Diego Chara into the box and he took a touch around Nick Rimando before slotting his shot into the open goal for his second goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
POR: Sebastian Blanco (Lucas Melano) 87th minute – Lucas Melano took a pass in the open field and led Sebastian Blanco into the box. He took a touch, then fired a shot past a diving Nick Rimando for the final 3-0 tally.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
POR: Steve Clark 44th minute – Joao Plata sent a corner kick into the box and Kyle Beckerman’s header looked bound for the net, but Steve Clark made a right-handed save to keep RSL from equalizing.
POR: Steve Clark 52nd minute – A Joao Plata corner kick bound around the six-yard box where Justen Glad thumped a left-footed shot that Steve Clark parried away with his right hand to prevent Glad’s first goal of the season.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Portland Timbers
Date: October 21, 2018
Venue: Providence Park; Portland, Oregon
Attendance: 21,144
Weather: Clear and 60
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Portland Timbers 1 2 3
POR: Larrys Mabiala (Diego Valeri) 15’
POR: Diego Chara (Sebastian Blanco) 68’
POR: Sebastian Blanco (Lucas Melano) 87’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon, Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera (Corey Baird 72’); Kyle Beckerman, Sunny (Sebastian Saucedo 78’); Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák, Joao Plata; Damir Kreilach.
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Nedum Onuoha, Danilo Acosta, Nick Besler, Luis Silva.
Portland Timbers: (4-2-3-1): Steve Clark; Zarek Valentin, Liam Ridgewell, Larrys Mabiala, Jorge Villafana; David Guzman (Lawrence Olum 76’), Deigo Chara; Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco (Andres Flores 90’); Jeremy Ebobisse (Lucas Melano 85’).
Subs not used: Jeff Attinella, Bill Tuiloma, Alvas Powell, Samuel Armenteros.
Stats Summary: RSL / POR
Shots: 12 / 16
Shots on Goal: 5 / 8
Saves: 5 / 5
Corner Kicks: 9 / 6
Fouls: 13 / 15
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Kyle Beckerman (Caution) 27’
POR: Diego Valeri (Caution) 63’
POR: Sebastian Blanco (Caution) 68’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Chris Wattam
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
