Real Salt Lake had to settle for a 3-3 draw with the Portland Timbers on Saturday night in Sandy after surrendering a 2-0 halftime advantage, regaining the lead in the 90th minute, then giving up an equalizer in extra time.
Despite walking away with a dramatic draw, RSL clinched a Major League Soccer playoff spot for the 14th time in the past 17 seasons. RSL (14-7-9) sits in second place in the Western Conference with four regular-season games left to play.
Diogo Gonçalves scored in the 90th minute to give RSL a 3-2 lead. Gonçalves drilled a shot from the top of the box for his first MLS goal, off a pass from Chicho Arango. But Jonathan Rodriguez scored for Portland (12-10-8) two minutes later to tie the game at 3-3.
RSL midfielder Dominik Marczuk scored in the 10th minute with an assist from Anderson Julio to make it 1-0. From the left side, Julio made a pass across the front of the goal, and Marczuk made a couple of touches before drilling it into the net with his left foot.
It was the first MLS goal for Mardzuk, whom RSL acquired from Polish top-flight champions Jagiellonia Białystok last month.
Diego Luna scored in the 22nd minute with an assist from Alexandros Katranis to give RSL a 2-0 lead.
Portland’s Antony scored in the 62nd minute to make it 2-1, and Evander tied the game in the 76th minute.
Real Salt Lake had a 19-9 edge on shots in the game, but the TImbers had a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.
RSL goalkeeper Gavin Beavers made two saves, and Portland’s Maxime Crépeau made one.
RSL will return to action next Saturday at Austin (6:30 p.m. MDT, Apple TV).
