The game in 200 words (or less): Real Salt Lake outlasted the Portland Timbers in a constantly changing winter’s climate at altitude at Rio Tinto Stadium to book their place in the Western Conference semifinals, where they’ll visit the Seattle Sounders. A massive amount of rain and sleet fell throughout the first half, followed by a brief period of heavy snow, followed by clear(er) skies more conducive to actually playing soccer. Damir Kreilach opened the scoring in the 28th minute, but the visitors drew level barely 60 seconds into the second half.
Perfect ball. Great finish. #RSL go ahead!#RSLvPOR // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/EAzQdy2Ep7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2019
Everyone had braced themselves for extra time, but Jefferson Savarino played the part of hero in the 87th minute when he slotted home past Steve Clark from a tough angle.
JEFFERSON SAVARINO LATE!! Is it the winner?#RSLvPOR // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/LDdqi43oBa
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2019
The career of Nick Rimando, the all-time record holder for essentially every goalkeeping statistic who will retire at the end of the 2019 season, is extended by at least one more game.
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What did we learn?
- Slow start leaves Portland an uphill battle: To say that Portland started this game slowly would be the understatement of the season.
It is halftime, which means 45 minutes of the game have been played. #MLSCupPlayoffs #RSLvPOR pic.twitter.com/ZCscHVK3kY
— Andy (@AndyEdMLS) October 20, 2019
After all that, it took Portland 37 seconds to register a shot in the second half. The ensuing corner kick wound up in the back of the net.
- Portland should re-sign Valeri. End: It doesn’t matter whether the sides are hung up on money or length of contract — heck, even if he wants full control of the club’s roster as next technical director — it simply doesn’t matter. Diego Valeri is the (MLS) Portland Timbers; he is their best player in their MLS era; he is still their best player in 2019. Valeri didn’t play the first 63 minutes of this game, and Portland managed all of four shots in that time. They equaled that number in the first seven minutes Valeri was on the field. If you look up “difference maker” in the dictionary, it will simply read Valeri, Diego.
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Man of the match: Damir Kreilach
Goalscorers: Kreilach (28'), Asprilla (47'), Savarino (87')