Real Salt Lake extends regular-season home unbeaten streak to 24 matches

RSL extends regular-season home unbeaten run to 24

SANDY, Utah — Nat Borchers scored on a header in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Real Salt Lake against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, extending the team’s regular-season home unbeaten streak to 24 games in Major League Soccer.

RSL has not lost at Rio Tinto Stadium since May 16, 2009.

Conor Casey scored on a first-half header for the Rapids.

Borchers knocked his header past goalkeeper Matt Pickens moments after RSL was denied a penalty kick that referee Ramon Hernandez initially indicated he would award for a Colorado handball in the box.

Though the draw kept their home streak alive, the defending MLS champions missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot, and draw even with the Los Angeles Galaxy. RSL (13-4-9) stayed two points behind the Galaxy with four regular-season games remaining.

The Rapids (10-7-8) remained in the playoff race.

Coach Jason Kreis started the game with many of his regulars on the bench for RSL. While the Rapids played without forward Omar Cummings, sidelined with an ankle injury.

Casey knocked home a header off a cross in the 36th minute to snap RSL’s shutout streak at 568 minutes — one minute longer than its previous team record, set earlier this season.

The goal was Casey’s 11th of the season. Cummings has 10 goals.