Joao Plata’s acceleration through his penalty kick transitioned smoothly into celebration as his shot beat Colorado goalkeeper Zac McMath to his right. Plata continued his run toward the supporters section and leaped two feet in the air, brandishing a fist pump at the peak of his jump.
That 3-0 win over Colorado was his first game back after being held out due to a coaches decision and an injury. But he bounced back to score his third goal in four matches.
“Transition reaction from offense to defense, getting back into shape, being aggressive defensively,” Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke said about what he wanted to see from Plata.