Real Salt Lake 3-3 Portland Timbers: Rodriguez levels six-goal thriller in stoppage time

Jonathan Rodriguez’s stoppage-time header saw the Portland Timbers salvage a dramatic 3-3 draw at Real Salt Lake in MLS, after the hosts had inched ahead in the 89th minute.

Phil Neville’s team, who are battling for an automatic playoff place in the Western Conference, twice appeared to be headed for defeat at America First Field.

They went 2-0 down within the first 22 minutes, Dominik Marczuk steering home at the far post before Diego Luna finished into an empty net.

Antony prodded home from a corner to half the arrears just after the hour mark, then Evander’s stunning long-range free-kick levelled things at 2-2, but Real Salt Lake would inch ahead again late on.

Diogo Goncalves drilled home from the edge of the area to open his account in MLS, but that strike would not prove to be decisive as substitute Rodriguez met Miguel Araujo’s hanging cross with a diving header, salvaging a point for Portland.

They sit eighth in the West with just four regular-season matches remaining, while Real Salt Lake are second but seven points adrift of the LA Galaxy, who beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 on Saturday.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!

Portland equalizes almost immediately! It’s 3-3 in the mountains. pic.twitter.com/RWskdhUIsR

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 22, 2024

Data Debrief: Portland’s powers of recovery

Portland have made thrilling comebacks a theme of their campaign, and their powers of recovery were on full display once again on Saturday.

They have now scored 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches in MLS play this term, more than any other side in the competition.