After two straight late-season losses, Real Salt Lake got back on track with a 3-1 victory over Austin FC on Saturday night at America First Field in Sandy.
With the win, RSL (11-16-4) climbed from 12th place to 10th in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, just one position out of a wild-card spot, though several games were still being played late Saturday night.
Braian Ojeda scored from outside the box just before halftime to give RSL a 1-0 lead, drilling a shot that got past diving Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
RSL defender DeAndre Yedlin doubled the advantage in the 49th minute with assists from Diogo Gonçalves and Diego Luna. RSL acquired Yedlin in a trade last month with FC Cincinnati, and his goal against Austin was his first for Salt Lake.
RSL’s Victor Olatunji scored in the 82nd minute to make it 3-0, before Austin’s Besard Sabovic scored in second-half stoppage time to make it 3-1.
Austin (12-11-8) had its two-game win streak snapped.
Real Salt Lake came into the game having lost two straight matches to LAFC, both by 4-1 scores.
RSL had a 13-9 edge on shots against Austin, including a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Austin’s Stuver stopped three shots, while RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral had two saves.
Real Salt Lake has three regular-season games remaining, including its home finale next Saturday against the Colorado Rapids (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). The Rapids won the first meeting of the season between the regional rivals, 1-0 on May 17, but RSL could still claim the Rocky Mountain Cup with a multi-goal victory.
The game will also have playoff implications, as Colorado sat in eighth place in the Western Conference after its 1-1 draw with Cincinnati on Saturday.