PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Cole Grossman scored in second-half stoppage time Wednesday, allowing Real Salt Lake to salvage a 3-3 tie with Portland.
The late goal kept Salt Lake three points in front of Portland and Colorado at the top of the Western Conference.
Grossman's goal came while Salt Lake was playing a man short, a situation brought about by a direct red card given Yordany Alvarez in the 79th minute. Soon after Alvarez was sent off, Kelif Alhassan scored for Portland to break a 2-2 tie and put the Timbers in excellent position to move into a tie for the conference lead.
Grossman, however, came through with the crucial goal that kept Salt Lake from losing two in a row and four out of six.
Salt Lake took a 2-1 lead in the first half, but Portland tied it in the 57th minute on a penalty kick from Diego Valeri. Javier Morales was called for a handball in the penalty area that led to Valeri's goal.
