Real Salt Lake: Movsisyan key in playoff win

SANDY — Yura Movsisyan certainly has a flare for the dramatic.

Last season, Real Salt Lake's 22-year old forward scored 85th-plus minute goals in both the regular season finale against Colorado — the score that essentially put the team in the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history — and in the first leg of the first round of the playoffs against Chivas USA.

This year, Movsisyan may not have put the ball in the net in RSL's 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew in the first leg of the first round playoff game at Rio Tinto Stadium, but his play was a major spark when he came on as a sub in the 65th minute. He provided a boost and had the game-winning assist to Robbie Findley in the 88th minute.

Movsisyan took a throw in deep down in the left corner before turning and firing a left-foot cross to the near post, where Findley slid and deflected the ball into the net.

"He finished off what I thought that was an unbelievable play by Yura Movsisyan," said Kreis of Findley's goal. "To get that ball turned, and he served in a fantastic cross for him. My hat's off to both those guys."

After what could only be described as a lackluster offensive performance for the first 64 minutes for the club, Movsisyan had an instant impact when he entered.

"Every time a team makes a substitution, you want the guys that come in to make a difference because you want to pick up the level," said Movsisyan. "We all know the playoffs are a different game. It was good coming in and getting the assist and getting the advantage going back to Columbus."

Movisyan's appearance was his last at home. Earlier in the year, he signed a deal with the Danish club Randers F.C. that begins in January. He did a great job making his final time on the pitch memorable.

"These fans, this team, this club has given me a lot; has given me my break, given me everything that I have. It's given me really good memories," said Movsisyan. "It was important for me to make a name for myself and to have the fans remember me for the rest of their lives."

Movsisyan left quite the departing gift for the Real faithful, but whether or not it is the last chapter for him remains to be seen.

"He has been the beneficiary of some tremendous fan support here. I hope he realized that this was a special night for him to be in this building for the last time," added Kreis. "But let's not say never because we'll want him to come back in the worst way. We will keep our doors wide open and our arms wide open if he wants to come back."

e-mail: mblack@desnews.com