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Real Salt Lake ties Colorado, 2-2

Oct 24, 2010 - 4:43 AM COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) -- Even Real Salt Lake's players were stunned by their latest accomplishment.

"We've been involved in craziness with our games with the Colorado Rapids," forward Robbie Findley said. "But this was craziness in the most extreme."

Alvaro Saborio scored goals in the 90th minute and in added time, and Real Salt Lake extended its unbeaten streak to 14 with a 2-2 tie against the Rapids on Saturday night.

"This was unbelievable," Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. "I've been involved in a lot of wild finishes, most of them when we were on the wrong end of the finish, but nothing like this."

Real Salt Lake (15-4-11) appeared headed for defeat before Saborio sent a shot past goalkeeper Matt Pickens in the 90th minute. He added a goal on a penalty kick in extra time.

"I pride myself in finishing a play and going after a block or deflection when a goalie is going to make a play," Saborio said. "I was rewarded this time. The ball came right back to me and I put it in."

Teammates said Saborio was locked up and dragged down on a free kick in front of the crease to set up the penalty kick. Colorado midfielder Brian Mullan was penalized on the play and Saborio easily deposited the ball past Pickens.

"He and I were locked up," Mullan said. "That's all I can tell you."

Omar Cummings and Conor Casey scored goals for Colorado (12-8-10). Cummings has 14 goals for the season and nine in his last nine games. Casey has 13 goals.

The Rapids ended their four-year playoff drought by wrapping up a berth last weekend. They will open the playoffs against either Los Angeles or Columbus.

"This has been a game you have to play for 90 minutes, but you have to play longer," Colorado coach Gary Smith said. "We'll pay a price for this in the playoffs."

Real Salt Lake had already clinched a playoff spot as well, but had plenty to play for besides extending its unbeaten streak (6-0-8) and avoiding its first loss since April 24 at Columbus.

A win would have given them 58 points and the chance to overtake Los Angeles for the West's top seed and the Supporters' Shield. Real Salt Lake could play Seattle, Dallas or San Jose in the first round.

Real Salt Lake did finish with only 20 goals allowed. That broke the league record of 23 set by Houston in 2007.

Chris Wingert was back in the lineup after missing two matches with a strained left quad muscle.

Cummings scored on a cross from Andrew Wallace in the 17th minute. The Rapids gained possession at midfield when Wallace sent a pass to Cummings in front of the crease and sent a low drive past goalkeeper Nick Rimando's left arm to make it 1-0.

Rimando kept Colorado from extending its lead in the opening minute of the second half, diving to block a shot by Brian Mullen from just outside the crease.

Casey didn't miss moments later, sending a header off a pass from Kosuka Kimura into the netting in the 50th minute to make it 2-0.