Game at a Glance: Damir Kreilach Saves the Day

Real Salt Lake 1 vs. Sporting Kansas City 0
November 7, 2021; Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Real Salt Lake (14-14-6, 48 points); Sporting Kansas City (17-10-8, 58 points)  

Man of the Match: Midfielder Damir Kreilach netted his 16th goal of the season in the final minute of extra time to steal the victory and secure a place in the postseason. Kreilach finishes the season tied with former RSL forward Jeff Cunningham for the second-most goals scored in a single season. Additionally, he finishes tied for the fifth-most in the league, meanwhile his goal and assists total combined is the third-most only behind Nashville’s Hand Mukhtar and 2021 Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos.  

Telling Stat: Goalkeeper David Ochoa was clinical in between the posts, making four saves to keep RSL’s chance at victory alive. With the four saves Ochoa earned his fifth clean sheet of the season to go along with shutouts against Colorado Rapids, Nashville SC, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps.  

What You Missed: Real Salt Lake clinched a seventh-place finish in the regular season and a place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 1-0 victory at Sporting Kansas City. The win was solidified with a goal at the death from Damir Kreilach, assisted by Justin Meram. The team now moves to 4-1-1 in the regular season since 2013 when playing at Sporting Kansas City.  

What’s Next: Real Salt Lake will head to Seattle Sounders for the first round of the playoffs the weekend of November 20-21. Date, time and broadcast information will be announced in the coming days.