Coach Jason Kreis was almost overcome by emotion outside the locker room on Saturday night, when describing what it meant to him that veteran midfielder Andy Williams played a key role in the biggest goal in Real Salt Lake history.

"For me, that's just unbelievable," Kreis said following the staggering 1-1 draw that lifted RSL into the Major League Soccer playoffs for the first time in its four-year history. "It's been a very, very difficult year for Andy, so much going on in his life. He has just continued to work hard and showed so much commitment and dedication. . . . To have him involved in that goal was just absolutely special. That's stuff history is made of."

Though his wife has been battling leukemia, Williams - one of four original RSL players remaining on the roster, plus Kreis - was much less emotional after the game, teasing team officials in the locker room that they did not have champagne to spray in celebration.

"Four years of hardship, you could call it," Williams said, smiling. "We've been here since the beginning, and I can't even explain it. Seriously. It means so much to us, and I'm happy that we finally made it."

Williams' crucial role came at the most crucial moment, when teammate Robbie Russell headed a ball ahead to him in the box in the 90th minute, with RSL trailing 1-0 and in need of a draw. "I turned around, and just got a toe on it," he said.

Goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul made a terrific diving save, only to have the ball fall right to Movsisyan, who put it home for his sixth goal in eight games.

"When he got to turn and he was in the box, I thought for sure it was going to be a goal," Russell said. "Then, the minute he hit it and the keeper saved it, I thought, 'Oh, no.' Then I saw Yura come in back post, and I was like, 'Thank God, he saved us.' "

mcl@sltrib.com