USL Feature
Friday, November 8, 2013
Chris Schuler’s extra-time goal lifted Real Salt Lake into the Western Conference Final of the MLS Playoffs on Thursday night at Rio Tinto Stadium as his side overcame a first-leg deficit to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 on aggregate.
The former Chicago Fire U-23 player’s goal capped a standout performance for the center back, who helped shackle the Galaxy’s potent attack for a second consecutive game. The defending champions only managed two shots on goal in the contest as Schuler and Nat Borchers, who played for the Boulder Rapids Reserves in the PDL, were able to limit clear looks at goal. Schuler’s performance earned him MLSSoccer’s Man of the Match award.
RSL fought to get back on even terms just past the half-hour mark as Christian Velasquez headed home a cross by former Brooklyn Knights defender Chris Wingert. Schuler then hit the crossbar with a header in the 75th minute, and RSL appeared to take the lead with fewer than 10 minutes remaining as a free kick by Javier Morales floated into the back of the net after eluding its targets in the penalty area. The 2009 champion claimed the victory in the 102nd minute, however, as Schuler was able to get on the end of Morales’ free kick at the back post to volley home a finish.
Awaiting RSL in the Western Conference Final are the Portland Timbers, who completed their victory against Cascadia rivals the Seattle Sounders with a 3-2 victory at Jeld-Wen Field. The Timbers, who held a 2-1 lead following the first leg in Seattle, extended their aggregate advantage to 5-1 early in the second half, with former USL First Division defender Mamadou ‘Futty’ Danso scoring to give his side a 3-0 advantage.
The Sounders tried to get back into the game, and 2012 PDL All-League selection DeAndre Yedlin found the back of the net with 16 minutes remaining to initiate a belated comeback. Yedlin then played provider two minutes later as Eddie Johnson cut the Sounders’ deficit to two goals, but the mountain proved too large to overcome as the Timbers moved on.
The MLS Playoffs continue this Saturday with the first leg of the Eastern Conference Final as the Houston Dynamo host Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Field at 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC). The Western Conference Final then begins on Sunday night as Real Salt Lake hosts the Portland Timbers at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).