SANDY, Utah – A slow start left Real Salt Lake in need of a spark on Saturday night, and Yura Movsisyan provided that spark with the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact.
Movsisyan has scored four goals and added an assist in the past five league games. On Saturday, he slotted home a penalty kick in the 79th minute to salvage a point at home for RSL.
A flat first half had Montreal up 1-0 after Harry Shipp's eighth-minute goal. It wasn’t a pretty sight for anyone on the RSL bench.
“I was watching on the bench and it just seemed so flat I was splashing water on my face," halftime sub Luke Mulholland said.
RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said he would have been willing to scrap everything and start over.
“At half, I told them I could sub 12 players. I could sub myself and I could sub every single one of them.”
Ultimately, Mulholland was the only change and RSL regained their on-field chemistry in the second half. Movsisyan would end up getting the goal, and it was very much a reward for his effort in overturning the deficit.
Tracking back on defense and working to keep the crowd in the game, the striker's industry eventually brought his teammates' energy levels up and when it came time to take the penalty, drawn by Joao Plata, Movsisyan claimed the spot kick and there were no objections.
“His work rate willed some people on,” Cassar said. “Yura does that all game long, work hard and try to wear out defenders. He was impressive with his work rate tonight without a doubt.”
