Movsisyan, again, brings late-game magic

In final home RSL match, forward provides signature flair for dramatic

By John Coon / MLSnet.com Staff

Yura Movsisyan provided yet another late-match thrill at Rio Tinto Stadium. (M. Majchrzak/Getty)

SANDY, Utah -- It seemed fitting that Yura Movsisyan would be heavily involved in a dramatic game-winning goal in his final game at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Movsisyan forever etched himself into club lore when he twice produced 90th-minute goals -- first against Colorado, then against Chivas USA -- to propel Real Salt Lake forward in their run to the Western Conference Championship game only a year ago.

In RSL's 1-0 victory against Columbus on Saturday, Movsisyan had his fingerprints all over a last-second scoring play once again.

Taking a throw-in from Will Johnson on the left flank, Movsisyan settled the ball in the corner and sent a hard cross to Robbie Findley as he charged toward the goalmouth. Findley slid forward and poked the ball between Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer and the right post to break a scoreless tie in the 88th minute.

"It felt good," Findley said. "If anybody had scored it, it would have felt good. That was the plan. We tried to get out 1-0 or 2-0 -- however many goals we could get and we were able to do it."

For Movsisyan, playing a part in another dramatic ending this time around meant just as much as when he produced the equalizer and then the game-winner a season ago. He wanted to send RSL fans off with one more victory to remember him by.

Seeing that wish be fulfilled meant everything after the game was over.

"It was very important," Movsisyan said. "These fans, this team, this club has given me a lot. (RSL) has given me my break. It has given me everything that I have right now and given me really really good memories. So it was important to make a name for myself and have the fans remember me for the rest of their lives."

Movsisyan's final home game began on the bench. After starting him a week earlier against Colorado, Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis had Findley and Movsisyan essentially switch places. Kreis started Findley up top and brought Movsisyan in as a second-half substitution.

The move was something Movsisyan took in stride. He saw it as a chance to infuse the match with an extra bit of energy at a later stage when RSL needed an extra lift.

"Anytime you come in, you want to make a difference," Movsisyan said. "It doesn't matter whether you get an assist, you get a goal or you shut a play down. It was important. It was something the team needed."

Movsisyan brought a degree of energy that picked Salt Lake up in the midst of a defensive slugfest with a Columbus team intent on getting a draw at worst before heading back to Ohio this week. Crew head coach Robert Warzycha admitted that Movsisyan threw a wrench into a near-flawless 90 minutes of defensive work.

"Movsisyan is obviously a good player," Warzycha said. "He's always a handful. He did what he's supposed to do."

With Movsisyan set to head to Denmark to continue his professional career with Randers at season's end, it appears if the final chapter of his career in a RSL uniform is almost completely written. But Kreis made it clear that it does not have to be an end. He said there will be a spot for Movsisyan on the Salt Lake roster if he chooses to restart his MLS career again at a future date.

"We'll keep our doors wide open and our arms wide open to welcome him back if he chooses (to return)," Kreis said.

John Coon is a contributor to MLSnet.com.