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Diego Luna secured a 1-0 win over Colorado in Real Salt Lake's final game of the regular season, but results around the league on Decision Day kept RSL out of the top four in the West as a first-round playoff series against Houston is up next.
"The only thing that was in our control was the way we performed today — being disciplined and organized and trying to win this game," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "I'm just really proud and pleased with the performance from the guys."
A 0-0 gridlock lasted until the 74th minute when Luna got the ball on the left flank and dribbled into the box for a powerful strike. The win saved RSL from dropping lower in the standings, finishing fifth in the Western Conference to improve upon last year's seventh-place finish.
A win by Houston kept RSL out of the top four and set up a best-of-three series between the two teams, with the first and third games held in Houston. Exact dates will be announced Sunday but the first round is set to begin Oct. 28.
The Rapids had their fair share of chances in a meaningless game for the last-place team in the West, but Zac MacMath came up with six saves to keep the clean sheet in the season finale for RSL.
Another save from MacMath. He has five on the night #RSLpic.twitter.com/r8vdL85Vv2
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) October 22, 2023
"They just came out with a lot of energy and we just kind of had to weather it a bit," MacMath said of the defensive effort. "It's always gonna be a battle: trying to hold a lead away from home against a rival. A bunch of guys stepped in, came onto the field and really helped us."
The win marked RSL's fourth-straight victory over its rival and is even more impressive considering the team was without several starters in Jefferson Savarino, Chicho Arango, Marcelo Silva and Brayan Vera for a variety of reasons, including injury precaution and personal matters.
Luna stepped up for the depth-tested squad, starting in his preferred No. 10 position and ultimately creating the difference for the road team in a tight battle.
"If there's a void — like right now we don't have (Savarino), we don't have Chicho — the void will always be filled," Mastroeni said. "And I think (Diego's) taken that upon himself to be a guy that's that's finishing chances. That's an area of his game that we've talked about."
The 20-year-old U.S. national team darling is up to five goals on the season and figures to be an important piece as RSL faces an uphill battle going on the road to start the playoffs.
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