When it comes to weeks in the life of Andrew Brody, it’s going to be tough to top this one.
On Wednesday, the Real Salt Lake homegrown fullback signed a contract extension through the 2024 season with an option for 2025. And on Saturday night, the 27-year-old scored a stunning winner two minutes from full time to lift RSL to a 2-1 win over Austin FC at Rio Tinto Stadium.
“It was a special, special moment, special, special week for myself and my family,” Brody said after the match. “It's the moment that we've all dreamed of since I joined the academy when I was 16. It's a moment that, I didn't think was always coming, but I give a lot of credit to my parents for giving me the resilience to keep going, never give up. And to top it off, the three points, that makes it feel even better tonight, honestly.”
Brody, who broke into the starting XI a year ago, said he saw Anderson Julio making a run down the line and noticed he was unmarked as he made his way to the top of the box.
The cutback ball fell perfectly to Brody’s right foot. And he hit what he thinks is the best ball of his life first time to secure all three points for RSL, marking his first MLS goal.
"Big thing was just get it on target, put it on frame, hit it hard, hit it with confidence,” Brody said. "And next thing you know, it just went in the top bin. I mean, it's crazy. Honestly, I'm at a loss for words. Super, super special.”
Real Salt Lake rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit courtesy of an Alex Ring goal in the 24th minute. Austin FC were reduced to 10 men when Dani Pereira was sent off for DOGSO two minutes into the second half.
“My message at halftime was we're tired. They're twice as tired,” RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “They're gonna feel it in the 60th minute. Nothing changes, stay the course. Be brave, and you're gonna find your way into the game.”
Maikel Chang leveled in the 55th minute, setting up Brody’s special ending to a special week.
Real Salt Lake are now 4W-0L-1D at Rio Tinto Stadium this year and bounced back from a 2-0 defeat at Nashville SC last Sunday.
“The fans were really pushing us on, we knew we were up a man so we can kind of get after them a bit, try to keep that intensity high, never let them catch their breath," Brody said. "The big part was just us playing on the front foot, playing fast, trying to get balls in the box and make it difficult for them.”
