SANDY — Los Angeles came into Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday night tied with Salt Lake on points and even on games, yet in fourth place compared to RSL's second-place standing due to two fewer wins than Real. While Dallas is technically within reach, RSL needed a win to keep its hopes alive at a second-place berth into the playoffs.
LA made things tough when Emmanual Boateng broke away from Jamison Olave in the sixth minute to put LA on top 1-0. The Galaxy packed things in the rest of the first half, and though Real Salt Lake created a few chances, it failed to finish and went into the halftime wondering how to break LA down.
Joao Plata figured it out in the 53rd minute when his untiring work rate earned him a chance at the spot when LAs goalie Brian Rowe tripped him up in the box. Only LA's Giovani dos Santos put the pressure back on when he scored his 11th goal of the season only four minutes later with a fine run and poor marking from Olave. Dos Santos earned his 12th goal in the 64th minute off a hustle play in the box, and Los Angeles looked as though it would finish the game off.
But not so fast at Rio Tinto. Plata ended up collecting a brace when he zinged home a Movsisyan assist in the 67th minute, and Burrito Martinez snuck the last shot of the game under a diving Brian Rowe in the 94th minute to earn RSL a hard-fought 3-3 draw.
Here are the player grades.
Nick Rimando (GK), 7, saw his first opportunity for a save come in the sixth minute when Boateng broke forward on a fast break. It was clear Boateng would beat Olave and Chris Wingert was covering Alan Gordon, Rimando set up to cover the expected far-post shot, but Boateng slid a perfect shot inside the near post where the wrong-footed Rimando had no chance to get to it. Rimando was done in again by poor marking by Olave in the 53rd and by poor marking inside the box in the 64th minute as Santos earned his 11th and 12th goals of the season. Aside from being hung out to dry by his defenders, Rimando did well to hold back a fourth shot on goal by LA.
Demar Phillips (DEF), 8, was a true bright spot out of the backline. Not only was his defense very solid, his sortie's forward along LA's left flank were crucial to RSL's attack throughout the night as well.
Jamison Olave (DEF), 6, was caught out of position to let in a goal not once but twice Wednesday night. First, as Boateng streaked past him in the sixth minute to earn the game opener, and second, when Santos found the net in the 53rd minute. After two solid performances in the last two matches, Wednesday was not Olave's night. In addition to the two goals, Olave earned one of those silly yellow cards in the 27th minute that you thought he might have finally outgrown.
Chris Wingert (DEF), 7, drew a tough game to be slotted in at the center back position with both Aaron Maund and Justen Glad out rehabbing injuries. LA played Alan Gordon as the lone central striker, with the speedy Boateng streaking in from the midfield and the hot and crafty Santos patrolling just behind. Gordon smartly played off Wingert whenever he could and he was a load. Enough so that Wingert earned a yellow card in the opening minutes of the match testing Gordon in the midfield. Wingert did everything he could against the towering striker, but in the end, Gordon owned Wingert and ended up being instrumental in at least one of LA's three goals.
Tony Beltran (DEF), 7, was steady in his fullback role, playing a stronger role in the second half in helping to develop RSL's attack that netted three goals. He was subbed out in the 85th minute to make room for a more offensive-minded player with Gordon being recently subbed off.
Luke Mulholland (MID), 8, was the yin to Kyle Beckerman's yang Wednesday night. His defense was balanced, and his passing into the attack was as good as Beckerman's. The occasional drop off in effort and occasionally positioning is the only reason his grade is lower than Beckerman's. Mulholland was subbed out in the 63rd minute for Jordan Allen.
Kyle Beckerman (MID), 9, played as strong a game as he's played this season on Saturday night. He was his traditional defensive wrecker in the midfield, but his passing and overall decision-making throughout the midfield that allowed RSL to remain competitive after Los Angeles picked up the early goal.
Javier Morales (MID), 8, has found the fountain of youth. His speed may not be quite what it used to be, but Morales just doesn't tire. On Wednesday night, he put on a masterclass in work rate on the soccer field. Morales showed his team that never-say-die spirit that even after going down two goals lifted the team to believe it could still win it. They didn't, but Wednesday night, a come-from-behind tie felt as good as a win.
Juan Manuel Martinez (FWD), 8, was special the second half of Wednesday's game. His first half felt like a warm up, but by the time the second half had seen RSL tie up the score only to drop another goal, Martinez was in the zone. His final goal in the waning seconds of the game (94th minute), was a beautiful combination of the skill check ball fans love to see from Martinez, and the more direct soccer RSL head coach Jeff Cassar has been asking for.
Yura Movsisyan (FWD), 8, continued to show Saturday night that the momentum he's built up since coming back from rehabbing his leg is the real thing. He found himself on the end of three close shots and a perfectly weighted assist for Plata's second goal.
Joao Plata (FWD), 9, was on fire Wednesday night. It started as a slow burn in the first half, but once Plata knew LA's defensive tendencies on the night, he took off. Earning a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, Plata took it and gave RSL hope for a tie, if not a win. His 66th-minute rocket was about being the right place at the right time, yes, but it was also about shooting perfection. How many times have we seen players sky an eager goal attempt in similar situations?
Jordan Allen (SUB, 67', FWD), 7, brought great energy and some excellent passing in the crowded midfield into the game when he came on in the midfield for Mulholland in the 67th minute. Not only did Allen get a good shot off (with no result), but his calmness and fluidity on the ball were a huge reason RSL kept possession so well throughout its rally in the final minutes.
John Stertzer (SUB, 85', MID), 7, had an immediate impact on the game as he entered in the final minutes of the game. He had a good-looking shot on goal that was saved by Rowe. Stertzer also did well to break up any late LA counterattacks that would have been devastating had they turned to goals.
Chris Higbee is a regular contributor to DeseretNews.com where he writes about Real Salt Lake, the arts, social and religious commentary.