RSL coming back to the playoffs against all odds (or some odds). That’s the story of Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 win against LA Galaxy in a match that featured a couple excellent goals, a bit of frustration, and a lot of nerves.

The outcome was only made possible by a defeat to Colorado Rapids in their match, a delicious fact — but it could just as easily have been Portland Timbers or Seattle Sounders dropping points and letting RSL in. There was a long period in the match in which it looked like RSL, regardless of a victory, was out of the playoff picture, so there’s a certain satisfaction in FC Dallas notching three goals over the Rapids at that point.

The specifics of this match aren’t particularly interesting, aside from the goals.

• Sergi Solans scored a nice breakaway goal off the back of a Noel Caliskan pass, and it’s hard to say which part of the goal I liked more. The pass was perfect (though I do wonder how he was so open to make that particular pass, and LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney should be furious about that) and, and the finish was exactly as needed.

• Zach Booth scored a lovely little goal from the left side, curling it into the far post through a player’s legs. It was a very nice goal.

• The match after RSL’s two goals was honestly a little dull. The Galaxy attacked in only the way a team with a -11 goal differential can, and RSL defended in the way that a team that’s given up 1.5 goals can. It was, in a word: Nervy, but not much else. Wait. That’s a few words. Anyway.

• If Sergi Solans was a clinical finisher, he’d be playing for a top team right now and not in MLS. I was tempted to criticize his finishing, but you know what? I don’t think it’s particularly relevant.

A few words on the subs:

• What is Pablo Mastroeni doing sending Ari Piol into a crucial match with 20 minutes remaining? The sub felt automatic — and there’s evidence that’s true, too. He’s played between 10 and 20 minutes in the last five consecutive matches. Six, now.

• It’s funny to see two defensive substitutions — I don’t know if Kobi Henry was struggling for fitness, but I think he’s been quite good lately. Justen Glad did well as his replacement, though, so it worked well enough. As for Yedlin coming on, I think it signalled a different approach at right wing back, and that’s probably good, especially in that situation.