With snow falling all around, a chill could be felt within Rio Tinto Stadium as Real Salt Lake faced off against Portland Timbers FC in the first round of the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Tensions rose as the tied game inched closer and closer to the final whistle, but much like a scene out of a movie, screams erupted throughout, as 17,452 celebrated the picture-perfect goal from Jefferson Savarino to take the lead, all but securing passage into the Western Conference Semifinals.
In the buildup to the match, the common thread throughout soccer fans and media across the nation has been that Real Salt Lake are underdogs in what is known to be an unforgiving postseason tournament.
Despite finishing third in the Western Conference standings after posting second-best home record in Major League Soccer, many analysts had RSL falling in the first round. With the same poise that they have possessed all season RSL silenced its doubters, proving yet again that they are a force to be reckoned with.
It was an attitude that the team carried with them this past week in training, one that Interim Head Coach Freddy Juarez conveyed time and time again. Regardless of what anyone said, they were going to win.
“All week you could sense the guys were there,” Juarez said. “We were confident, not over-confident, but we felt that here at home we’re very good. If we came with the commitment that we talked about and executed some things, then we would have a good chance.”
The first half showed just how dominant RSL could be, taking an impressive 62.6 percent of the possession and firing off nine shots. But what’s more impressive is their ability to limit Portland without at shot through the first 45 minutes.
The team took the early lead when Damir Kreilach headed down a cross, setting off fireworks and cheers as worry began to melt off around the stadium.
But just as any good movie has a plot twist, the Timbers pulled a goal back early in the second half, forcing the game into a back-and-forth nail-biter.
It seemed as if Portland may have had the upper hand as the match continued on with the Timbers outshooting the home squad during the second half. Thanks to the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando, the level game pushed on.
“What can I say about Nick? He’s been doing that here for 13 years,” Juarez said. “The guy is awesome. He pulled one out on his left side and I just had to clap my hands when that happened.”
As the match met its climatic ending, it was Savarino who emerged as the protagonist for RSL fans everywhere.
Mere minutes away from the match continuing on into extra time Joao Plata pounded the ball down field and sent in a cross towards Albert Rusnák at the edge of the 18. With the spatial awareness that only comes from a seasoned veteran, Rusnák dummied the ball to a wide open Savarino who was able to slot the ball into the back of the net to take the lead.
“I knew Sava was behind me, and the guy who tried to step into me I knew he was the last guy. I was going to leave it, always,” Rusnak said. “I left it and I was actually thinking he was going to shoot across and then he took a shot and I didn’t see the ball and I didn’t know where it was. But as soon as it hit the back of the net it was all celebration.”
And what a celebration it was.
With the win Real Salt Lake survives and advances, moving on to face Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m. MT, providing the team with yet another chance to prove to pundits and fans alike that they are more than underdogs, they’re serious contenders.
