The nice thing about Sounders matches is that the headlines really write themselves. Moving on...just so you know how late the equalizer was, I'm keeping the first paragraph that I had written just before it:
DOOM! I don't know. That's the first word that pops into mind when describing RSL's result against Seattle on Saturday night. This club can not afford to drop points at home. Why? Well they lost only one time at home last year. They actually had the best single season home record in MLS history, and they still BARELY snuck into the postseason on the final day.
I know what you're asking, how good can a tie actually be. Well, with a last second goal put in by the home team as it looked like all hope was lost, a draw is a sweet result. Alvaro Saborio showed his nose for the net with a 94+ minute goal on a well taken corner kick from Nelson Gonzalez.
It was a goal from Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall from a Freddie Ljunberg free kick 20 minutes earlier, that seemed to be the game winner. Seattle had the game all but wrapped up when Kasey Keller chased an errant cross and caught it just before both the ball and him went over the end line, setting up RSL with a corner at the death. Gonzalez to Saborio, 2-2 draw.
Seattle got on the board early in the first half, when Steve Zakuani took a through ball from Fredy Montero. Montero received a pass in the midfield and Robbie Russell got sucked in to the middle, tring to support Jamison Olave. Zakuani took tthe cue from Montero and bolted free toward a helpless Nick Rimando. Zakuani easily put it passed the 2009 MLS Cup MVP.
It took Real a while, but an answer came in the form of a Will Johnson flying header in the 53rd minute off of a Robbie Russell cross. Russell received a pass on the wing and was able to make a pin point pass to a streaking Johnson on the back post. Johnson went horizontal right away and was able to beat Keller at the near side.
This match again showed a lot of good thing for Real Salt Lake, especially in the middle third, but creativity seems to come to a halt as they get in to the money range. It didn't help that their maestro, Javier Morales, left midway through the first half with a groin injury.
Man of the Match: For me it was a toss up between a number of players. If it had to go to someone, Will Johnson would probably be the guy, for his overall effort and his brilliant finish.
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