Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front, and Real Salt Lake's Javain Brown, rear, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Benja)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front, and Real Salt Lake's Javain Brown, rear, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Benja)
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Diego Luna scored a tying goal in the 73rd minute and Real Salt Lake added another on an own goal for a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night to set a single-season club record for points.
Real Salt Lake (16-7-11) secured the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference and will face Minnesota in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs. RSL reached 59 points this season, topping the 2012 team with 57.
Vancouver (13-13-8) will play the Portland Timbers on Wednesday in a wild-card game for a chance to play top-seeded LAFC.
Luna settled a long cross from Braian Ojeda before taking four touches to slot home a shot inside the far post for his eighth goal of the season.
RSL went ahead in the 83rd when Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer misplayed a lofted ball that rolled into the back of the net.
Vancouver midfielder Ryan Gauld opened the scoring in the 58th to become the first player in club history to produce multiple seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.
