With snow falling all around, a chill could be felt within Rio Tinto Stadium as Real Salt Lake faced off against Portland Timbers FC in the first round of the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Tensions rose as the tied game inched closer and closer to the final whistle, but much like a scene out of a movie, screams erupted throughout, as 17,452 celebrated the picture-perfect goal from Jefferson Savarino to take the lead, all but securing passage into the Western Conference Semifinals.
In the buildup to the match, the common thread throughout soccer fans and media across the nation has been that Real Salt Lake are underdogs in what is known to be an unforgiving postseason tournament.