The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Real Salt Lake 4-3 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, striking a blow in RSL's 2021 MLS Cup Playoff hopes. Cade Cowell and Carlos Fierro both scored a goal and provided an assist. With a win and some support from other Week 34 Western Conference outcomes, RSL might have sealed a playoff berth, but instead, they're at risk of falling out of the playoff picture. Minnesota United FC, which hosts Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, has a chance to overtake them for seventh place.

Albert Rusnák gave the hosts an early lead in what was yet another chaotic match between RSL and San Jose. Rusnák and Damir Kreilach exchanged passes cleverly to set up the Slovakian midfielder, who calmly scored to make it 1-0 nine minutes in. RSL dominated the first half, including a spectacular chance from Rubio Rubin that was saved by JT Marcinkowski, but that didn't stop San Jose from equalizing in the 37th minute. Fierro got on the end of Cowell's cross and scored to tie the game at one apiece.

The momentum turned immediately in San Jose's favor as Chris Wondolowski scored shortly before halftime to put the visitors ahead. On a short corner kick, the 38-year-old attacker leaped highest and headed in for a 2-1 lead. Wondolowski's goal was his fourth of the season and his 170th in Major League Soccer. In the 69th minute, Cowell, who finished sixth on this year's BODYARMOR 22 Under 22 list, gave a moment of solo brilliance. The 18-year-old homegrown turned on the afterburners after receiving an outlet feed from Marcinkowski in his own half, beating RSL defender Justen Glad and buried to make it 3-1 San Jose. Cowell scored for the first time since July, ending a 20-game scoreless run. For the 4-1 lead, Jackson Yueill scored from a turnover, and it proved to be a crucial marker, as Maikel Chang equalized for the hosts in the 85th minute, and Rusnák added another in injury time to pull RSL within one. However, the late-game flourish was too little, too late.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Abram Iman]