Real Salt Lake grabs 2-2 draw with Austin FC

Matt Crooks and Diogo Gonçalves each scored a goal for the visitors to solidify a point on the road down the stretch of the 2024 MLS regular season.

AUSTIN, Texas — Matt Crooks and Diogo Gonçalves each notched a goal as Real Salt Lake inched closer toward solidifying a top-four spot in the West for the upcoming 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-2 draw at Austin FC on Saturday.

After playing to a scoreless first half, Crooks broke the ice in the 48th minute, firing a loose rebound in front of goal into the back of the net to put Salt Lake (14-7-10, 52 points) ahead, 1-0.

Gonçalves doubled the advantage in the 65th minute, converting from the penalty spot after a VAR check discovered a handball in the box. It’s the second goal in as many games for the Portuguese winger who signed as a Designated Player at the summer transfer window.

But Austin FC rallied late.

Jáder Obrian pulled one back in the 82nd minute, and Guilherme Biro equalized in the 89th minute as Austin FC (9-13-9, 36 points) clung to a shred of playoff hopes with the draw.

Listen to head coach Pablo Mastroeni address the media from Austin below: