RSL All-Star hopeful **Andrés Gómez** proved the star of the show on the night as the Claret-and-Cobalt yet again defied the odds, demonstrating incredible spirit, resilience and resolve in a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Seattle at Lumen Field on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
The 21-year-old arrived late in the penalty area to get on the end of a knockdown in the box from Chicho Arango, seeing his initial shot blocked before steering the rebound beneath the legs of Stefan Frei and into the back of the net to complete yet another miraculous last-gasp comeback for RSL deep into injury time.
Gómez, once again, appeared at the heart of everything positive for RSL’s attack with his dribbling, ball carrying, and creative abilities on show yet again in a difficult road clash. The young Colombian once again provided an assured, consistent and mature performance in the face of growing adversity, proving his worth as one of the club’s most exciting attackers and his growth as one of RSL’s young leaders this season.
Gómez’s strike also represented a piece of history for RSL, recording the latest equalizer in its 630-game Club history, coming in the 90’+9’ minute. The goal also represented his eighth overall of the season, and 13th goal contribution in 15 games played thus far. All things considered, the 2024 MLS season is shaping up nicely to be a crucial season in the young Colombian’s career.
19-year-old GK **Gavin Beavers**, making just his fourth MLS start of the season, also provided a strong performance on the night, unlucky to concede from a freekick, but providing a series of crucial saves to keep RSL in the contest up until its late equalizer.
Beavers’ first big involvement arrived in the 35th minute, with a massive left-handed save to deny Obed Vargas’ powerful strike from range after a fine sequence from Seattle.
The U.S. Men’s U-19 goalkeeper would then be called on again five minutes later with a strong double-handed save to deny Cristian Roldan, after a fine attacking sequence from Seattle found and space for a shot in the penalty box.
Beavers’ next big involvement would come in the 65th minute. A cleared corner headed away by **Matt Crooks** landed at the feet of Nouhou just outside the penalty box, taking a first touch to steady himself before unleashing a low powerful effort from range, well-tipped away by the RSL goalkeeper.
Despite conceding a solitary goal from a free kick, it was yet another promising and mature performance from the 19-year-old, who has now finished 360 minutes of MLS play with just three goals allowed and 15 saves, with a 257-minute shutout streak from March 9 to May 29 across matches against Colorado at home, Chicago away, and both May matches against Seattle.
Off to the best start in Club history with 30 points from 16 matches (exceeding both 2016 and 2014), RSL has ascended to the top of the Western Conference for its latest first-place bragging rights in the calendar since April 30, 2016, and the latest solo No. 1 in the West since August 2013. This week’s back-to-back road contests precede Saturday’s home match against Austin FC, just the fourth of four America First Field matches for RSL from mid-April to mid-June, the Claret-and-Cobalt playing eight of 12 away from home during that span, including the trip to Dallas and tonight at Seattle. RSL will then enjoy a much-needed June 8 international bye weekend prior to again traveling to Montreal and Kansas City on June 15/19 to wrap up the circuitous gauntlet.
Important Milestones
- Andrés Gómez’s 90+9 equalizing goal is the latest equalizer in Real Salt Lake’s 630-match history.
- 19-year-old Gavin Beavers earns his fourth start of the MLS season for RSL, finishing 360 minutes of play with only three goals allowed and 15 saves, with a 257-minute shutout streak from March 9 to May 29 across matches against Colorado at home, Chicago away, and both May matches against Seattle.
- The late equalizer marks the third consecutive comeback for RSL, earning five points from the stretch (5-3 vs. Colorado, 3-3 @ Dallas, 1-1 @ Seattle). The three matches have seen RSL score five goals in the final six minutes of play plus stoppage time.
- 30 points through 16 matches is the best-ever start for Real Salt Lake, surpassing both 2016 and 2014.
- The active 12-game MLS unbeaten run is tied for the second-longest single-season streak and the Club’s fourth-longest overall in its 20-season history, exceeding last year’s 11-game streak across three competitions, as well as a 16-game run from 2013 into 2014, and a Club-record 18-game unbeaten streak from July 2010 to April 2011. The eight consecutive matches unbeaten away is the second-longest streak in Club history.
