MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Defeats Chivas USA 2-0 in Preseason Finale

Published on February 15, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Tuesday, February 15, 2011) - Second half goals by DF Jamison Olave and MF Will Johnson punctuated a strong showing by Real Salt Lake in its preseason finale this afternoon, a 2-0 victory over Chivas USA at the Grande Sports World training complex. With today's contest bringing its second 10-day stay in Arizona to a close, Real Salt Lake will now turn its focus solely towards two of the biggest matches in club history, its CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round match-ups against the Columbus Crew, beginning one week from today in Central Ohio.

Today's match-up not only featured the two "Class of 2005" expansion rivals, but pitted Real Salt Lake against a recent alumnus. former assistant and now Chivas USA Head Coach Robin Fraser. With the Utah side on the cusp of meaningful competition, it ratcheted up the intensity level straight away, which was matched by the Southern California side and resulted in fierce tackles and challenges not normally reserved for preseason affairs.

An unfortunate byproduct of the rough-and-tumble action was an injury suffered by MF Javier Morales late in the first half, the Argentine playmaker suffering a minor left ankle sprain after being sandwiched by a pair of Chivas USA defenders while entering an aerial challenge for a 50-50 ball inside the penalty area. Morales was replaced by MF Collen Warner shortly after the incident, but walked back to the bench under his own power and was unencumbered by the knock shortly thereafter. RSL was unable to break through despite having the bulk of the best chances in the opening half, which closed with MF Andy Williams' screaming 30-yard volley swerving just wide of the far right post.

But Real Salt Lake would capitalize in the second 45 minutes, it first tally coming off a Williams corner kick just past the hour mark. Olave would crash the near right post on the set piece and would meet the ball along with Chvias USA DF Jimmy Conrad, the collision of the two ushering the ball into goal past GK Zach Thornton to put RSL up 1-0. In the 70th minute it was FW �lvaro Sabor�o - who went the full 90 minutes on the day, continuing his comeback from offseason meniscus surgery - doing the dirty work, holding the ball against defenders for several seconds until it was finally poked loose 25 yards out. But Saborio's holding pattern was long enough to bring Johnson into the play, the hard-charging midfielder lashing a low, first-time shot that bounced just inside the left post to double the advantage. The Utahans would hold steady from there to produce the win, its first in three contests this spring against MLS competition (1-1-1).

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