Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran was nearing an MLS record, but was grateful to avoid even a conversation about how close he was to approaching Jason Hernandez.
Entering Saturday’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Beltran had played 240 MLS matches without scoring a goal, still a comfortable distance from the 282 appearances by Hernandez. However, he put a halt to that run with his first career goal in the 82nd minute as Real Salt Lake clawed its way back from a 3-1 deficit before falling short in a 3-2 defeat.
On Tuesday, he was bashful in acknowledging his first career MLS goal.