With their 3-1 win on MLS Decision Day against the Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake secured their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022.

In the 19th minute of the must-win game, Real Salt Lake's Bryan Oviedo found Jefferson Savarino at the top of the 18-yard box. The designated player scored first with a bending shot that landed in the bottom right corner. Rubin scored barely three minutes into the second half after having a goal-scoring opportunity in the first half disallowed. The attacker received a pass from Oviedo and sprinted onto the cross, finishing with a one-touch shot past Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic to give his team a 2-0 lead. Yimmi Chara's close-range attempt for Portland almost equalized, but the ball ricocheted against the post and RSL Homegrown defender Bode Hidalgo cleared the danger. In the 82nd minute, it was the Homegrown Hidalgo who put the game away, completing a give-and-go with Jasper Löffelsend before unleashing a right-footed rocket that soared past the goalie to make it 3-0 for his team.

Dairon Asprilla scored a consolation goal for the Timbers in the 87th minute, but Real Salt Lake's strong attacking performance was too much to overcome, as the host team secured the seventh and final spot in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Abram Iman]