Facing Portland at home on Decision Day, Real Salt Lake needed a win to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Taking on the team they lost to in last season’s Western Conference final, RSL knew only one result would get them to the playoffs on the final day of the season for the second straight year.
Having not won a match since August 31, it seemed as though Real faced quite the uphill battle to clinch a postseason appearance.
With Portland needing either a win or a draw to secure its playoff spot, there was everything to play for. While Portland looked ill-prepared, RSL was ready to go.
After dominating the opening portion of the match, Jefferson Savarino gave the home side the lead in the 19th minute.
DELIVERY COURTESY OF JEFFERSON SAVARINO 📬 pic.twitter.com/KTe3jAvub5
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 9, 2022
Real continued its push for three points instead of sitting back to defend the lead, which led to a second goal just under three minutes into the second half. Bryan Oviedo delivered the ball into the path of Rubio Rubin, who made the score 2-0.
So much goodness in one video #RSLvPOR | #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/Zk6gpW3IRG
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 9, 2022
With RSL in complete control, Portland looked completely lost and overwhelmed against the home side.
Bode Hidalgo added a third for Real in the 84th minute, his first career MLS goal. Portland scored a consolation goal in the 87th minute before Salt Lake saw out the final moments to secure the 3-1 victory and the playoff spot.
Regular season complete
Finishing the regular season with a 12-11-11 record while tallying 47 points, RSL clinched the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It will be the second straight postseason appearance for Real, and the 12th in 15 seasons since the first playoff berth in team history back in 2008.
RSL again conjured up some last-match magic in this one, very similar to last season’s team that clinched a playoff spot on the final day.
Up next: Austin FC
Real Salt Lake will now travel to face second-place Austin FC for the first round of the playoffs.
The match will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. MT and can be seen on ABC.
