Football
2021 Major League Soccer, Regular Season
SKC 
0
FT
 RSL
1
Reuters 2y

RSL scores in stoppage time to beat SKC, earn playoff bid

Damir Kreilach scored in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time to clinch a playoff spot for Real Salt Lake in a 1-0 win against host Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

Kreilach connected from the goalmouth in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.

Kansas City (17-10-7, 58 points) closed out the season without a win in its final three matches.

Real Salt Lake (14-14-6, 48 points), which snapped a two-game losing streak, would have been eliminated with any other result.

Sporting KC dominated on possession in the first half, recording nearly 59 percent of the touches but was level with Real Salt Lake on the shot tally, with each side attempting five. Kansas City managed one on goal while Salt Lake did not hit the target.

In the fifth minute, forward Khiry Shelton came up with the first chance of the match with a long-range strike that was snared by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa.

Salt Lake forward Rubio Rubin connected from just right of the goal area for a shot off a set piece in the 11th minute, but his attempt went wide of the net.

One minute later, Sporting's Daniel Salloi had his shot, off a long-distance feed from Graham Zusi, roll wide of the target.

Kreilach had a pair of chances, but in the 15th minute his shot from the top of the box sailed over the net, and in the 20th minute his attempt missed the right side of the net.

Ochoa came up big seconds apart in the 49th minute. Shelton picked the pocket of Salt Lake defender Justen Glad and fed Salloi to his left for a straight-on kick, but Ochoa came out just above the goal area to block it with his body. Ochoa then thwarted a try from defender Luis Martins from the top of the box.

In the 74th minute, Real Salt Lake defender Aaron Herrera tried to break the deadlock, but his shot was blocked, and moments later Justen Meram forced Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia into a diving save with a shot from outside the box.

^ Back to Top ^