MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Falls to Galaxy

Published on November 7, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, November 6, 2011) - Real Salt Lake put up a fight for the ages Sunday evening against the #1-seed Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2011 MLS Western Conference Championship, but the third-seeded Utah side eventually ran out of time in a 1-3 defeat in front of 23,437 at The Home Depot Center that ended RSL's roller-coaster ride of a season one game short of reaching its ultimate goal of MLS Cup. The evening served a microcosm of the Claret-and-Cobalt's 2011 campaign, with the squad grinding through injuries, fighting back from an early deficit and coming achingly close on several chances, but in the end it was the home-standing Galaxy that would capitalize on their opportunities, with goals from MF Mike Magee and FW Robbie Keane after the break making the difference.

The night started with intrigue well before the opening whistle, as injured center backs Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers both made the 18-man team sheet just eight days after suffering quadriceps strains in the RSL's playoff opener against Seattle, with Olave's right quad recovering enough to be placed in the starting XI. RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis had one other change in his first-choice XI from Wednesday night's semifinal second leg against Sounders FC, as Chris Wingert slid back from the middle of the back line and into his customary left back spot in place of Tony Beltran, whose yeoman-like 90 minutes in midweek marked his first match action in two months.

The entertaining affair started with both sides earning early chances in the run of play, but it was a penalty kick in the 23rd minute that would move the scoreboard first for the home side. RSL MF Andy Williams' nudge in the back of Galaxy DF Omar Gonzalez sent the center back to the turf and earned a point to the spot by referee Jorge Gonzalez. Galaxy MF Landon Donovan made no mistake from there, slotting into the right side of goal to give LA a 1-0 advantage.

But the visitors would show their mettle just over two minutes later, when Olave got a head on MF Javier Morales' back-post corner kick, sending it to the top of the six-yard box. RSL striker Álvaro Saborío was in the right place at the right time, redirecting the ball just past Galaxy GK Josh Saunders to bring things right back to square at 1-1. Both teams would see chances bang off the woodwork in the opening half, with RSL MF Kyle Beckerman seeing his blast from the edge of the area clang squarely off the right post and out of danger during stoppage time, denying the visitors the chance to steal a goal - and the lead - entering the halftime break.

The second half would see Los Angeles jump on top once again in the 58th minute, when Magee squeezed between RSL defenders Robbie Russell and Chris Schuler to get on the end of MF David Beckham's cross from the right flank, his header glancing off the hand of RSL netminder Nick Rimando and into the back of goal to give the home side the lead back. RSL nearly followed its first-half script and answered immediately through FW Fabian Espíndola, but the Argentine's spinning rocket from the outer left corner of the area bounced off the underside of the crossbar, forcing the visitors to continue their comeback effort.

The Galaxy would double the advantage in the 68th minute, when Keane finished a lengthy run up the middle of the field by cutting back to gain space against Olave eight yards from goal before slotting low and inside the far right post to give Los Angeles some breathing room at 3-1. Despite numerous Real Salt Lake forays into the Galaxy final third across the last 15 minutes, none of its four shots would find their way past Saunders, leaving the Utahns to shake their heads at what could have been after a valiant effort.

Real Salt Lake Match Notes

The 25th minute goal by RSL FW Álvaro Saborío kept him in a share of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs scoring lead, the Costa Rican striker now tied with the Galaxy's Mike Magee on top of the postseason scoring chart with three tallies.In addition, the corner kick service on the tally by MF Javier Morales marked his third assist of the 2011 postseason, putting him atop the category across MLS Cup Playoff participants alongside the Galaxy's David Beckham. The Argentine maestro now has six assists in 11 career postseason contests, the resulting 0.55 assists per game average placing 10th in league playoff history.While the season has come to a close for Real Salt Lake, four of its members will play on this week while wearing the colors of their national teams. MF Kyle Beckerman will join the United States senior team for European-based friendlies at France and Slovenia, while 17-year-old MF Luis Gil has been named as a late addition to the U.S. Under-23 National Team roster that will hold a concurrent camp alongside the USMNT. Back in the Western Hemisphere, MF Will Johnson will join the Canadian National Team in their quest to move onto the next round of CONCACAF region World Cup qualifying during a home-and-away with St. Kitts & Nevis, while MF Jean Alexandre will do the same for Haiti's senior side during a similar back-and-forth against Antigua & Barbuda that will settle things in Group F.Real Salt Lake will wrap up its 2011 season early this week with individual player meetings and exit physicals, the latter tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, during which the squad's final media availability opportunities will be held. The RSL Communications Department will announce the schedule for individual players' Wednesday availability via press release by Tuesday afternoon.

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