Chris Higbee

Sports

Real Salt Lake player report card: RSL completes comeback in stoppage time for draw with Galaxy

Los Angeles looked as if it would get out of Rio Tinto with a win, but Burrito Martinez’ 94th-minute equalizer snuffed that out for a rollicking 3-3 tie.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave, left, heads the ball as Colorado Rapids' Kevin Doyle, right, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Sandy, Utah.

Sports

RSL vs. Colorado player report card: Real Salt Lake rallies to capture Rocky Mountain Cup

With potential Western Conference standing going into the playoffs and the Rocky Mountain Cup on the line, RSL takes care of business Friday night with a 2-1 win over the rival Colorado Rapids.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales (11) celebrates after scoring on a free kick during a match between Real Salt Lake and Chicago Fire at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.

Sports

Real Salt Lake player grades: Javier Morales earns Man of the Match vs. Chicago Fire

RSL had three goals for the first time since June, putting away the Chicago Fire 3-1 and earning Nick Rimando his 181st win and the record for all-time wins in Major League Soccer.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran (2) and Inter Milan's Caner Erik (18) compete for the ball during a match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

Sports

Real Salt Lake player report card: RSL concedes late goal in loss to Inter Milan

RSL plays almost everyone on both the RSL and Monarch’s rosters but gives up a 92' minute goal and the win in a 1-2 friendly with Italian Serie A side, Inter Milan at Rio Tinto Tuesday night.

By Chris Higbee

Sports

Real Salt Lake player report card: RSL can’t finish chances, fights for draw against New England Revolution

RSL continues to struggle offensively while the defense finally earns its first shutout in 15 games with a 0-0 draw at home against the New England Revolution.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata (10) takes a shot at the goal against Montreal Impact defender Victor Cabrera (36) during a Major League Soccer game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Sports

Real Salt Lake player report card: RSL claws back, can’t overcome Montreal in home draw

RSL hangs on for a late-game goal to once again earn a 1-1 draw at home against the Montreal Impact.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Yura Movsisyan (14) tumbles as he has a drive blocked by D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid (28) and defender Bobby Boswell (32) during a Major League Soccer match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, July 1, 2016.

Sports

Player report card: Real Salt Lake sharp early but concedes draw with late United goal

Real Salt Lake gave up two points in stoppage time by giving up a last-minute goal to D.C. United to earn a draw at home.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales (11) celebrates after the game with his son Santiago as Real Salt Lake defeats the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in Sandy on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.

Sports

RSL player grades: Real Salt Lake overcomes sluggish start to get win

Real Salt Lake made it through the heat — of the New York midfield press and the night — to come from behind for a satisfying 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Wednesday night.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake defender Aaron Maund (21), forward Juan Manuel Martinez (7), forward Joao Plata (10) and defender Justen Glad (15) celebrate after Martinez scored a goal during a Major League Soccer match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, June 18,

Sports

RSL vs. Portland Timbers player grades: Real Salt Lake opens homestand with back-and-forth draw

Real Salt Lake earned a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers after going down 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday night.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran, left, pursues Colorado Rapids forward Kevin Doyle as he takes a shot in the second half of an MLS soccer game in Commerce City, Colo., late Saturday, May 7, 2016. The Rapids won 1-0. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sports

RSL player report card: Rapids ‘keeper stymies Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake started its monster road stint in Colorado with first place in the Western Conference and advancing its ambitions of winning the Rocky Mountain Cup. Colorado ‘keeper Zac McMath sent RSL packing with a 0-1 loss.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata (10) competes for the ball with Colorado Rapids defender Eric Miller (3) during MLS action in Sandy Saturday, April 9, 2016.

Sports

RSL player report card: Defensive-minded Real shuts down Rapids

Real Salt Lake figured out how to earn three points at home against a Colorado side that showed why it’s one of the most talked about MLS defenses despite the single big defensive gaffe that turned into RSL’s game winning goal in the 72nd minute.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Olmes Garcia (80) and Seattle Sounders defender Tyrone Mears (4) compete in Sandy on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Real won 2-1.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders report card

RSL outlasts Seattle to win at Rio Tinto 2-1 on goals by Sunny Obayan (43) and Jamison Olave (86).

By Chris Higbee

Tigres' Angre Gignac (10) receives a yellow card in the first half of the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals match against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Tigres won 3-1 on aggregate.

Sports

Real Salt Lake player grades: Players show promise despite Champions League loss

RSL scored first but couldn’t keep the Tigres from putting in a goal of their own to go up 3-1 on aggregate as Real Salt Lake was eliminated from the 2016 CONCACAF Champions League tournament.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman (5) looks to pass against C.S.D. Municipal in a CONCACAF Campions League group match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. CSD Municipal CONCACAF Champion’s League player report card

Real Salt Lake outlasts CSD Municipal 1-0 to win their group in CONCACAF Champion’s League group play. They now move on to the knockout round, joining three other MLS teams (L.A., D.C., and Seattle) for the first time in CCL history.

By Chris Higbee

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey (12) grabs the ball as Real Salt Lake midfielder/forward Luis Silva (20) is sandwiched by Portland Timbers defender Jorge Villafana (19) as the Real Salt Lake is defeated by the Portland Timbers 1-0 in play socc

Sports

RSL vs. Portland player report card: Real doesn’t make the grade in damaging home loss

RSL lost a heartbreaker at Rio Tinto Wednesday when Jamison Olave drew a PK red card and Portland converted to earn a 1-0 win and some breathing room in the tight Western Conference race for the final spot in the playoffs.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake Juan Martinez scores against Santa Tecla during CONCACAF play in Sandy Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Real won 2-1.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Santa Tecla CONCACAF Champion’s League player report card

RSL held off El Salvadoran club Santa Tecla FC Thursday night at Rio Tinto Stadium to earn a 2-1 win. They now sit atop their group with the final game in group play against Guatemalan side Deportivo Municipal on Oct. 20.

By Chris Higbee

RSL's Sebastian Jaime points into the air as he celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Javier Morales as RSL takes a 2-0 lead over the Seattle Sounders Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

Sports

Player grades: Real Salt Lake’s win over Seattle Sounders critical in atypical season

RSL earns three much needed points against Western Conference foe Seattle Sounders in hopes of making its way into the Western Conference playoff picture.

By Chris Higbee

Faith

Without the overdose of obscenity, ‘The Book of Mormon’ would have been a delight

“The Book of Mormon,” from Trey Parker and Matt Stone with music by Robert Lopez, may be the best “South Park” episode yet.

By Chris Higbee

Tony Beltran of Real Salt Lake heads the ball against Sporting Kansas City during MLS soccer at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Friday, July 24, 2015.

Sports

Report card: RSL continues trend of strong Pioneer Day play in win over Sporting KC

Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber scored from 35 yards out, but Real Salt Lake was able to put two of its own in — a Javier Morales golazo in the 34th minute and a Joao Plata PK conversion in the 74th to leave Rio Tinto with a 2-1 win and three points.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake celebrates their goal in the first half of a soccer game against the Houston Dynamo at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, July 18, 2015.

Sports

Player report card: Real Salt Lake passes crucial test against Houston

Javier Morales scored in the first half and assisted in the second on a Joao Plata goal that put RSL up 2-0 to earn a much-needed win against Western Conference foe — the Houston Dynamo.

By Chris Higbee

Real's Aaron Maund tries to head a goal shot as the Salt Lake Real and the LA Galaxy play in a MLS U.S. Open soccer quarter-final match, July 14, 2015, in Sandy.

Sports

RSL player grades: Real Salt Lake plays one of its finest games of the season

Real Salt Lake jousts with the Los Angeles Galaxy for 87 minutes until Luke Mulholland and Aaron Maund connect for RSL’s only, and eventual game-winning, goal. RSL advances to the semi-finals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales (11) fights for possession against Orlando City SC forward Kaka (10) at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, July 4, 2015. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Orlando City SC player grades

RSL squanders an 11-10 advantage after Orlando’s Kaka is sent off near the end of the first half and earns a single point with a 1-1 draw that will do little to help with its position in the Western Conference.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake's Javier Morales, center, celebrates with teammates Sebastian Jaime and Olmes Garcia after scoring on a penalty kick, as Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers play Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. Real won 2-0.

Sports

US Open Cup: Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers report card

RSL advances to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake defender Jordan Allen walks off the pitch after been given a red card by referee Ismail Elfath in a match against Columbus Crew SC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Saturday, June 27, 2015. The match ended in a draw, 2-2.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew report card: SLC native Kavita earns first RSL start in tough draw

RSL looked as though it might get a win at home with a goal in each half. Lack of concentration along the back line allowed Columbus to equalize not once but twice, and RSL lost out on two much-needed points in the Western Conference with a 2-2 draw.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Jou Plata (8) tries to shoot on Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) in MLS action in Sandy Sunday, June 21, 2015.

Sports

RSL report card: Forwards, midfielders shine in critical victory over Sporting KC

RSL earns a tough 2-1 win at home off an Olmes Garcia-induced Kansas City own goal in the 92nd minute.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake forward Devon Sandoval (49) flies throw the air after shooting on New York City FC goalkeeper Josh Saunders (12) in MLS action in Sandy Saturday, May 23, 2015.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. New York FC report card: RSL obtains desired result in dominant win

RSL is at that point in the season where if a turn-around is going to happen, it has to start now. It took the first step with a 2-0 win over former skipper Jason Kreis’ NYFC expansion team. John Sterzer and Alvaro Saborio scored.

By Chris Higbee

Real Salt Lake midfielder Luke Mulholland (19) tries to center the ball as Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy play Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Utah.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles Galaxy report card

RSL looked better going back to the old 4-4-2, but couldn’t put away a goal to lift them past L.A., which also struggled to find the back of the net. Final result: 0-0 draw.

By Chris Higbee

The Vancouver Whitecaps' MatÍas Laba slides under Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman during a soccer game at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Vancouver won 1-0.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver report card: RSL can’t find the back of the net in loss

RSL couldn’t shake the scoring monkey off its back Saturday night as Vancouver scored a single game-winning goal and RSL saw two players ejected in front of 20,414 irate fans at home.

By Chris Higbee

RSL's Chris Schuler goes over Gyasi Zardes for the balla as Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy play Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

Sports

RSL report card: Straight A’s for Real Salt Lake in 0-0 draw against Galaxy

RSL and L.A. play to a draw, leaving the finale of the Western Conference semifinals to next Sunday in Los Angeles to determine who will go on to meet the winner of the Seattle/Vancouver matchup for supremacy in the West.

By Chris Higbee

RSL's Kyle Beckerman kicks the ball away as Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA play Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

Sports

Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA report card

RSL ends a landmark regular season with a 2-0 shutout against Chivas USA and goes into the playoffs looking like a well oiled machine.

By Chris Higbee