MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Falls 3-1 to Portland Timbers

Published on June 8, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake (6-2-7, 25 Points, West #2) lost its second match of 2014 on Saturday, falling 3-1 to Portland Timbers (4-4-7, 19 points, West #6) in front of a sold-out Rio Tinto Stadium.

Tonight's loss ends the Claret-and-Cobalt's 11-game unbeaten run against the Cascadia side. RSL now posts an 8-2-3 all-time record across all competitions and a 5-2-3 all-time regular season record against the Timbers.

Real Salt Lake scored the opening goal in the 23rd minute, when RSL MF Luke Mulholland took down DF Chris Schuler's flick-on header inside the box and half-volleyed a shot past Portland GK Donovan Ricketts. Things didn't go RSL's way after taking the lead, with Portland finding the equalizer in the 36th minute through FW Fanendo Adi who headed home MF Diego Valeri's corner kick. Adi struck again right before halftime, cleaning up the rebound off a save from RSL GK Jeff Attinella. RSL went down a man in the 54th minute after RSL DF Tony Beltran picked up a second yellow card, and the Timbers went on to put the match away with a penalty kick goal in the 73rd minute, taken by former RSL MF Will Johnson.

Real Salt Lake controlled the early stages, and had the first chance of the match in the 5th minute. The play started with RSL MF Javier Morales' corner kick, which was cleared out of the box to Mulholland on the left side who switched play back to Morales on the right. The Argentine sent a cross into the box that found an open DF Nat Borchers in front of goal, but the center back was unable to keep his diving header on target, sending the shot just wide of the net.

Portland registered the next chance in the 11th minute. Portland Timbers DF Jorge Villafana found room to maneuver down the left flank and sent a cross into the box which found the head of Portland's Adi. Attinella found himself in the right place though, and easily took care of the shot.

Real Salt Lake went on to record a pair of chances in the 16th and 22nd minutes. Morales had the first chance, collecting a pass from Beltran on the left side. Morales cut into the box and fired a right-footed shot narrowly missing the far post. RSL MF Luis Gil created the next chance, flicking on a Portland clearance at the top of the box to set himself up for a half-volley attempt. Portland GK Donovan Ricketts came up big, getting one hand to the shot to push it out of play.

Mulholland went on to give RSL the lead in the 23rd minute. The play started with a Claret-and-Cobalt corner taken by Morales that Schuler flicked on to the middle of the box. Mulholland took down the pass and half-volleyed a right-footed rocket from 15 yards out, beating Ricketts to the near post, for his fourth goal of the season.

Gil almost doubled the lead in the 28th minute. RSL MF Ned Grabavoy found Gil just inside the 18 yard box on the right side. The U.S. international managed to work his way around two Portland defenders and lay off a pass to RSL FW Olmes Garcia at the top of the box, who sent a beautiful curling shot right at Ricketts.

Portland was able to find the equalizer in the 36th minute. Portland MF Diego Valeri earned the assist, taking a pin-point corner kick that found the head of Portland's Adi, who was able to send his shot to the far post, beating a helpless Attinella.

Portland kept piling on the pressure, forcing Attinella to produce a pair of big saves in the 40th and 41st minutes. Portland's Adi threatened again, blasting a shot from 20 yards out that forced a diving one-handed save by the Claret-and-Cobalt 'keeper. Portland's Valeri got the next chance a minute later, picking up a turnover in RSL's final third. The Argentine sprinted into the box and sent a powerful close-range shot right at Attinella, who managed to push the strike over the crossbar.

Mulholland had an opportunity to make it two on the night in the 45th minute. The Englishman picked up the ball 20 yards out and curled an attractive shot towards goal that Ricketts had to one-hand over the bar.

Portland got the last word before the half though, taking the lead in the 45th minute through Adi again. Portland caught the Claret-and-Cobalt on the counter, springing Portland FW Darlington Nagbe who sped into the box and tried to beat Attinella to the far post. Attinella made a great diving one-handed diving that unfortunately deflected off of RSL DF Chris Wingert right into the path of Adi, who easily finished from inside the penalty box.

Real Salt Lake opened the second half aggressively, desperately searching for an equalizer. Grabavoy almost worked some magic to tie things up in the 57th minute. The veteran midfielder superbly chested down a Portland clearance at the top of the box, which he then volleyed straight to Ricketts who had to juggle the powerful attempt.

Real Salt Lake was dealt a blow in the 54th minute when RSL DF Tony Beltran was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Portland's Nagbe. Despite being down a man, the Claret-and-Cobalt continued to stay on the front foot but suffered another blow in the 73rd minute when Portland was awarded a penalty kick. RSL center back Chris Schuler was called for the foul after he appeared to take down the ball with his arm during a slide tackle in the box. Former RSL MF Will Johnson stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted the ball into the left corner to put Portland up by two.

Portland continued to put its attacking speed on show, almost scoring a fourth goal in the 81st minute. Nagbe made a quick run down the right flank, cutting into the box and fired a right-footed shot, but Attinella came up big, stoning the speedy youngster from close-range.

Real Salt Lake continued to push forward in the final 10 minutes, but was unable to register any clear-cut chances in front of net. The Claret-and-Cobalt had a half-chance in the 91st minute with a free kick awarded 25 yards out in the center of the field. RSL Substitute DF Abdoulie Mansally was the one to take but his shot attempt flew high over the bar.

Real Salt Lake now enters its MLS World Cup break, not returning to MLS play until June 28 when it takes on Chivas USA at StubHub center. The Claret-and-Cobalt begins U.S. Open Cup play next Saturday, June 14, facing NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks on the road. The RSL-Atlanta contest will be streamed live on RealSaltLake.com and kicks at 6:00 p.m. MT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 8, 2014


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