Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Providence Park.
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Here’s a look at what we learned from an enthralling encounter in Oregon.
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Three Four Five things learned
Plata hammers a free kick past Kwarasey — Joao Plata scored the third free kick of the night in MLS, and Adam Kwarasey had absolutely no chance of getting a hand on this one. Hit, and stayed hit. Plata is capable of providing the X factor for RSL and this was a reminder of his incredible talent. The side from Utah need him to do this on a regular basis going forward.
Glad everyone got our "score a sick free kick this Saturday night" memo. Plata the latest. #PORvRSL https://t.co/uhkLTr3ojY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 20, 2016
Beckerman sees deserves red to put RSL in trouble... or so we thought — Kyle Beckerman was a bit late, went over the top of the ball and went studs up into the planted foot/ankle of Fanendo Adi. Check, check and check — that’s a red card. A player of Beckerman’s experience should know better and you can easily argue that his rash challenge cost his team two points.
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Movsisyan stuns everyone, gets in behind to make it 2-0 — Down a man? Who cares? Certainly not Yura Movsisyan, who robbed Nat Borchers blind and went all the way to give 10-man RSL a 2-0 lead. Movsisyan rolled back the years to put RSL ahead and stun the home fans in Portland.
Down to 10 men. On the road. Against the champs.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 20, 2016
Don't tell @RealSaltLake. Yura makes it 2-0. #PORvRSL https://t.co/MOXtql3RSi
Adi steps up to spark the comeback — Dairon Asprilla nearly scored the beautiful chip, but came up with only woodwork. Fortunately for the Timbers, the ball fell to the feet of Adi, who slotted it past Nick Rimando as any decent poacher should do. Adi has been the man on the spot and is becoming a game changer for the Timbers.
Game. On.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 20, 2016
Adi pulls one back for @TimbersFC. #PORvRSL https://t.co/awKyvzQKrM
Olave elbows Adi, sees red, gives away PK — As a 34-year-old veteran, you simply can’t do things like this. You especially can’t do things like this on the road, clutching a one-goal lead, playing down a man. Brace for Adi.
Alllllll the way back. Adi levels it from the penalty spot. 2-2. #PORvRSL https://t.co/syLnvjDQwW
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 20, 2016