Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
Things looked bleak after Real Salt Lake conceded a goal after just four minutes in Portland, but the Claret and Cobalt put together a pair of comebacks to advance to the Round of 16 with a 4-3 win over the Timbers on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup.
"I thought it was a fantastic performance. A lot of guys who haven't been playing got an opportunity tonight and really showed up," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "It was a real collective effort. These kinds of games are always crazy and you don't know what to anticipate, but I think the guys really managed the game the right way and didn't lose their cool."
A miscommunication between keeper Gavin Beavers and Pablo Ruiz resulted in Portland capitalizing on an early takeaway in the box to go up 1-0. RSL stayed aggressive and led the possession battle, however, and were rewarded when the ball fell to Danny Musovski in the box in the 30th minute for an easy shot past the keeper.
Andres Gomez continued his rapid rise in form with a banger from the corner of the box just before halftime in the 41st minute, creating space from a pair of defenders and sending a curling shot into the far post. The golazo sent RSL into halftime with renewed confidence and a surprising 2-1 lead after the early error.
jaws immediately hit the floor pic.twitter.com/0vp0mpBoKS
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 11, 2023
The high was short-lived, however, as Portland scored twice in four minutes early in the second half to, once again, take the lead, 3-2, in the 52nd minute. The second comeback didn't take nearly as long for RSL, though, as Maikel Chang scored twice in four minutes to give the road team the lead for good in the 59th minute.
The scoring outburst marked the first four-goal performance from RSL in any competition since September 2021. RSL was able to hang on to the narrow lead thanks to some impressive saves from Beavers and the makeshift three-man backline featuring Bode Hidalgo, Justen Glad and Delentz Pierre.
The draw for the Round of 16 will take place on Thursday at 12 p.m. MDT on the Bleacher Report app and YouTube channel, where RSL will learn its opponent for the next Open Cup match from a West regional group featuring the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy and LAFC.
RSL returns to Utah next to resume MLS play with two home games in five days, beginning with LAFC on Saturday and then Portland again on May 17.
