Victor Olatunji bagged a brace to give Real Salt Lake a vital point on Saturday as they secured a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-2 draw at St. Louis City.
The 26-year-old Nigerian striker starred on the final matchday of the regular season, known as “Decision Day”, delivering a performance that kept RSL’s playoff hopes alive, Footballrover reports.
Victor Olatunji Sparks RSL’s Playoff Qualification
Olatunji put the Claret and Cobalt ahead in the 17th minute, timing his run perfectly to beat the defence.
He doubled his tally just past the half-hour mark, giving RSL a commanding lead.
Despite a late equaliser from St Louis, the draw was enough for Utah’s side to advance to the wildcard round.
The Nigerian forward played 82 minutes at Energizer Park before being replaced by compatriot William Agada, showing off his importance in the team’s attacking setup.
His performance highlighted why RSL invested over $2 million to secure his services in August.
RSL Looks Ahead to Wildcard Showdown
With this result, Real Salt Lake will face Portland Timbers in a single-elimination wildcard match on Wednesday.
The winner will then take on Western Conference leaders San Diego FC, giving RSL a chance to make a surprise playoff run.
Since joining from Sparta Prague, Olatunji has made an immediate impact, scoring four goals and providing an assist in just eight appearances.
His arrival has addressed a long-standing need for a reliable striker, and his form gives fans hope for a deep playoff run.
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