Plata, Savarino Score Twice In Stoppage Time Against Rapids

SANDY, Utah – The Rocky Mountain Rivalry went into deep stoppage time and Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the final three minutes to beat the Colorado Rapids, 2-0.

The first goal was in the 96th minute on a penalty kick by Joao Plata, who fired a shot outside of the box but a Rapids defender put a hand on it, forcing the referee to award the penalty.

Three minutes later in the 99th minute, as Albert Rusnak passed the ball in the middle of two Colorado defenders to Jefferson Savarino, who slotted home the goal.

Plata scored his first goal of the season, while Savarino put his seventh goal into the back of the net.

Joao delivers! pic.twitter.com/tXDS8WZX9O

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 25, 2019

Icing on the Rocky Mountain Cake pic.twitter.com/HDb9w0gEBC

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 25, 2019

Minutes before the two goals, RSL nearly had a goal as Savarino played the ball in to Damir Kreilach, who found the back of the net but after video assist replay, it was determined that Savarino was offsides.

It was the final time that United States Men’s National Team teammates Tim Howard from the Rapids and RSL’s Nick Rimando would play against each other with both players retiring at the end of this season.

With the win, RSL reclaimed the Rocky Mountain Cup.

It was a chippy match with six yellow cards handed out and one red card.

In the 89th minute, Rapids forward Kei Kamara received a straight red card and was ejected for serious foul on RSL defender Brooks Lennon.

The better side of the Rocky Mountains won. Again. pic.twitter.com/rIDPusYzhP

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 25, 2019

Real Salt Lake is now in second place in the Western Conference standings with 43 points. They are tied with Seattle, but RSL holds the tiebreaker. LAFC is in first place with 61 points.

They will travel to Portland on Saturday, August 31 to face the Timbers at 8:30 p.m. The match will be streamed on sports.ksl.com or the KSL TV app.