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Sandy • Jamison Olave sprinted off the field less than a week ago and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the understanding his mistake could've been a massive blow to Real Salt Lake's dreams of another postseason appearance. The ensuing red card and a penalty kick were all the Portland Timbers needed last Wednesday to bury RSL's playoff aspirations.
So on a crisp fall night back at Rio Tinto Stadium six days later, the 34-year-old Colombian considered to be one of the best overall defenders in league history drifted free in the box as Javier Morales waited to deliver the 13th corner kick of a hectic first half between RSL and Guatemalan club Municipal.
The ball was perfectly placed — and perfectly headed home. Olave beat Claudio Albizuris and snapped an emphatic header past Municipal goalkeeper Paulo Motta in the 43rd minute for a goal that served as a slice of redemption for the longtime RSL defender.
"I told Javier, 'Just put the ball here, because [Albizuris] was too small for me,'" Olave said. "The next play, he saw that and he put the ball there."
"I couldn't be more happy for [Olave], for our team, for our club, for our fans," RSL coach Jeff Cassar added. "That space was open all night."
It was all RSL needed in the 1-0 win. The goal clinched a spot for RSL in February's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. RSL made history Tuesday by finalizing a sweep of MLS clubs to advance out of group stage play, joining the L.A. Galaxy, D.C. United and Seattle. RSL went 3-0-1 in Group G play.
"It wasn't always pretty, but these games aren't," Cassar said.
Former MLS MVP Carlos Ruiz nearly made RSL sweat it out four minutes before Olave's header. Guatemala's all-time leading scorer beat Olave to a free ball in the box and hit a half-volley off the turf, but the ball curved away from goal and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The two 36-year-olds met again in the 76th minute when Ruiz's free kick from 35 yards away came zipping toward Rimando.
It was a similar scenario to RSL's visit to Guatemala City on Aug. 4. And like that night, Rimando rose and got a fingertip to Ruiz's free kick, pushing it over.
"When you think of Nicky, you think of massive saves that keep us in games," Cassar said. "That was a huge save."
Once the final whistle cemented RSL's 2015 home slate, captain Kyle Beckerman ran from the center of the field to the west-side stands and started an elongated lap around Rio Tinto Stadium, thanking and high-fiving fans.
"I just felt like doing it this year," he said after his four-minute jaunt. "They've been really great to us since the start, even before I got here. We knew it was a tough year for everyone, so just a thank you for them."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Storylines
R Center back Jamison Olave scores the game-winner in the 43rd minute.
• RSL goes 3-0-1 in Group G play to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals in February.
• RSL closes out its MLS regular season Sunday in Seattle.
More inside
O At age 36, former Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Ruiz remains a scoring threat for Municipal. › D8