The game in 100 words (or less): San Jose came into this match one point ahead of Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference standings as both teams needed a result to stay alive in the playoff race. RSL traveled to the Avaya Stadium where it was all San Jose in the first half, and the visitors were lucky to head into the break with a scoreless draw. Nick Rimando was stellar in goal for RSL, but was unlucky to be beaten by a wicked deflection in the match’s final minutes. San Jose is now a point out of the final playoff spot in the West.
[ VIDEO: Brendan Rodgers disappointed with “hysteria” around Liverpool ]
Three moments that mattered
25' -- San Jose can’t find the back of the net -- San Jose had a chance to take the lead, but couldn’t find a goal after a scramble in the box. Off a corner kick, Nick Rimando made an initial save before Chris Wondolowski had his shot cleared off the line, and Anibal Godoy put the rebound wide.
51' -- Nick Rimando makes point-blank stop -- In the 51st minute, Nick Rimando reminded us why he’s arguably the best goalkeeper in MLS history. Shea Salinas led San Jose on a counter-attack and played a cross into a wide open Wondolowski, but Rimando got across his line to make an unreal stop.
87' -- Perez Garcia wins it on big deflection -- Nick Rimando was nearly unbeatable tonight, and San Jose needed help from a deflection to find a winner. Matias Perez Garcia fired a shot that Rimando looked to have covered, but it took a wicked turn off Victor Bernardez and rolled into the net. Already on a yellow card, Perez Garcia took off his shirt in celebration and was subsequently sent off.
[ FOLLOW: All of PST’s MLS coverage | Standings | Stats | Schedule ]
Man of the match: Nick Rimando
Goalscorer: Perez Garcia (87')
Red card: Perez Garcia (88')
