RSL rescues crucial 3 points in 2-1 home win over Vancouver

SANDY — Real Salt Lake needed a win in the worst way Saturday after back-to-back losses put its postseason aspirations in not-so-subtle peril.

Things looked bleak after going down 1-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 17th minute, but the team rallied in the second half to come away with all 3 points in its second-to-last home game of the regular season.

The win keeps RSL's hopes of hosting a playoff game alive with a move into top-four contention in the Western Conference.

"These last games are playoff games, and you have to have a certain mindset," RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "Something that we haven't been able to do is overcome deficits. That's not tactics, that's the mentality, and I think we've moved so far away from the identity of who we are and the team that has led us to this point."

Brayan Vera wasted no time kicking off the second-half comeback with a free kick goal in the 47th minute — his second such score on the season. Justen Glad completed the comeback with a header goal in the 65th minute that required medical attention for a bloodied nose. He confirmed after the game it was not broken.

The goal marked Glad's fifth score on the season, reaching the goal the center-back set for himself during the preseason.

"I think tonight, Glad's goal encapsulates everything that this team is: willing to put your body on the line to get a result," Mastroeni said. "That's the mindset, and so now, we have some tough teams left, but if we bring that same mindset the talent will always shine through, and I think that was the key."

RSL rotated in a pair of defensive substitutes in Andrew Brody and Bode Hidalgo following the go-ahead goal in hopes of defending its impressive, albeit tenuous, lead.

Vancouver managed a slight edge in possession despite being the road team and continued to pressure the RSL goal well into the final minutes. Fans held their breath for a moment after the final whistle as the referee went to the VAR monitor to check for a penalty, but it was not given in the end.

The visitors started the night a point ahead of RSL in the standings but finished it 2 points behind as RSL leapfrogged them into a tie with Houston for fourth place in the West.

The Claret and Cobalt hit the road next for a tough matchup against LAFC — where they have never won — before returning home for the final home game on Oct. 7 against Kansas City.

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