Real Salt Lake Qualifies for MLS Cup Playoffs with 3-0 Win over Rapids
October 25, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release
SANDY, Utah - While its playoff odds were long to start the day, Real Salt Lake took care of the business at hand by dominating the Colorado Rapids 3-0 tonight in front of 18,675 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, then saw results in three other MLS matches shake out its way, giving the Utah side its second consecutive berth into the MLS Cup Playoffs. With the huge win over its archrival this evening, Real Salt Lake (11-12-7, 40 pts.) is now poised to enter the Eastern Conference playoffs and will earn the #3 seed with a New England Revolution loss or tie tomorrow at the Columbus Crew or the #4 seed should the Revs pull out the win at Crew Stadium.
Real Salt Lake flexed its muscles early and often, and it was FW Robbie Findley doing the damage by scoring twice in the first half. Both plays were spurred on by assists from MF Andy Williams, the first coming with his pass into the area that was headed across the six-yard box by FW Fabian EspÃndola before being headed home by Findley at the right post in the 15th minute. Then in the 33rd minute it was a superb 50-yard pass by Williams behind the Rapids backline that Findley flicked over Rapids GK Preston Burpo before depositing into the net to give RSL a crucial insurance tally. The Utahns would seal the deal five minutes from time, when substitute FW Yura Movsisyan took an outlet pass from MF Javier Morales at the midfield stripe before ending his 50-yard run with a right-footed finish.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 25, 2009
- Sounders FC to Face Houston in MLS West Semifinals - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas Forward Jeff Cunningham Wins 2009 Budweiser Golden Boot - FC Dallas
- Revolution Advance To MLS Cup Playoffs Behind 1-0 Win At Columbus - New England Revolution
- FC Dallas Forward Jeff Cunningham Wins 2009 Budweiser Golden Boot - MLS
- Chivas USA Announces 2009 Team Award Winners - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Chivas USA to host first-ever Playoff Super Clásico vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday, November 1 - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Real Salt Lake Playoff Tickets On Sale Now At Riotintostadium.com - Real Salt Lake
- Seattle Sounders FC Comes Back for 2-1 Win, Eliminates Dallas - Seattle Sounders FC
- FCD's playoff hopes stymied by Seattle rally - FC Dallas
- Earthquakes Fall in Season Finale 2-0 Against the LA Galaxy - San Jose Earthquakes
- Real Salt Lake Qualifies for MLS Cup Playoffs with 3-0 Win over Rapids - Real Salt Lake
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