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MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Update

May 13, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


REAL SALT LAKE TO HOST COLORADO RAPIDS AT RIO TINTO STADIUM ON SATURDAY

Real Salt Lake will return home this Saturday, when it will host Colorado Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium at 7:30 p.m. MT. Saturday's match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM. A limited number of tickets are available to Saturday's contest and can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.

Real Salt Lake enters Saturday's match looking to continue its unbeaten start to the 2014 season. The Claret-and-Cobalt earned the club's first ever win in Houston on Sunday, defeating the Dynamo 5-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium to remain undefeated in 2014. RSL improved its record to 5-0-5 and currently sits second in the Western Conference with a total of 20 points, two points behind Seattle Sounders FC, which has a game in hand on RSL.

Saturday's meeting between RSL and Colorado will be their first of the year, kicking off the quest for the 2014 Rocky Mountain Cup. Real Salt Lake lost the Rocky Mountain Cup last year for the first time since 2006. The Claret-and-Cobalt finished the 2013 season 0-1-2 against the Rapids, tying the Western Conference foe 2-2 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on August 4, 2013, drawing 1-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 16, 2013 and falling 1-0 at Colorado on April 6, 2013.

Real Salt Lake is nearly even against Colorado Rapids in regular season matchups, posting a 9-10-9 all-time record against the Rocky Mountain rival. RSL has fared well at home against Colorado, posting a 7-3-4 all-time regular season record in Utah against the Rapids.

Saturday's tilt will be Real Salt Lake's first MLS match without its international players, Captain Kyle Beckerman, GK Nick Rimando and FW Alvaro Saborio. Beckerman and Rimando were named to U.S. Manager Jugen Klinsmann's 30-man preliminary World Cup roster yesterday and the American duo will head to U.S. training camp in California on Wednesday. Saborio was named to Costa Rica's preliminary roster and will depart for camp later this week. If Beckerman, Rimando and Saborio are named to the their country's final World Cup roster, they will miss a minimum of six RSL regular season matches and at least one - and potentially up to three - Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches.

REAL SALT LAKE EARNS FIRST-EVER WIN AT HOUSTON WITH 5-2 THUMPING

Real Salt Lake (5-0-5, 20 points, West #2) extended its unbeaten start to the 2014 season in style on Sunday night, getting a hat trick from MF Javier Morales, goals from FW Alvaro Saborio and MF Luke Mulholland and a penalty kick save from GK Nick Rimando to top Houston Dynamo (4-5-2, 14 points, East #4) 5-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The win was RSL's first ever at Houston, and moved the Claret-and-Cobalt into tie for first in MLS with 2.00 points per game through its first 10 matches.

Morales scored the fastest goal in RSL history to put the Claret-and-Cobalt up 1-0 just 15 seconds in. It was a wonderful goal for the Argentine playmaker, who collected a pass from Saborio on the right side before majestically chipping a 20-yard shot over Houston GK Tally Hall and inside the far post. The strike was the fourth quickest goal in MLS history.

Morales doubled RSL's advantage in the 17th minute. FW Joao Plata curled a corner in from the right side, with MF Ned Grabavoy heading toward goal from the top of the box. Morales slipped free from Houston MF Andrew Driver just inside the six, redirecting Grabavoy's header up and over Hall to make it 2-0.

Sherrod pulled one back for Houston in the 22nd minute. Set-piece specialist MF Brad Davis whipped a corner in from the left side, with Sherrod rising over the pack to flick a header home inside the far post from the top of the six-yard box.

Houston was dealt a big blow in the 27th minute, when Referee Allen Chapman showed Dynamo MF Servando Carrasco a straight red card for a heavy, two-footed challenge deep in RSL's half on Morales.

RSL quickly capitalized on its man advantage, with Saborio restoring the Claret-and-Cobalt's two-goal lead in the 32nd minute. RSL built up to the goal nicely, with MF Luke Mulholland collecting a DF Tony Beltran pass on the right wing and curling a gorgeous cross into the middle that Saborio ran onto at the near post and flicked home inside the far bar for his sixth goal of the season.

Rimando came up huge for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 36th minute, saving Houston MF Giles Barnes' penalty kick to keep RSL up 3-1. RSL DF Aaron Maund was whistled for the PK in the 35th minute, when Chapman called the third-year center back for a foul in the box on Houston DF David Horst during a Dynamo corner kick. As he's so often done in his outstanding career, Rimando bailed RSL out, stopping the 21st PK of his career by correctly diving to his right and blocking Barnes' shot.

Despite the man advantage, Real Salt Lake started the second half on the back foot, looking sluggish in the Houston heat and letting the Dynamo pull within one in the 56th minute. Sherrod again had the goal, collecting in the left side of the area following a sliding challenge from Barnes, cutting into the middle and slamming a low right-footer inside the near post from 12 yards out.

Mulholland got the best of Hall three minutes later, finishing from a very acute angle to ice the game for RSL. Morales assisted on the goal, collecting a nice ball from Beltran in Houston's final third, turning and slipping Mulholland into the right side of the area. Mulholland rounded the onrushing Hall, advancing deep into the box before side-footing a shot from a tough angle past the near post and into the back of the net to put RSL up 4-2.

RSL kept pressing after Mulholland's goal, nearly scoring in the 81st and 83rd minutes before Morales eventually completed his hat trick in the 89th. RSL FW Devon Sandoval made the goal, earning a penalty kick when Hall dragged him down by the leg after Sandoval picked up a rebound just four yards from goal. Morales made no mistake with the spot kick, rolling it into the left side of the net to register his first hat trick for the Claret-and-Cobalt and just the fifth hat trick in club history.

RSL CAPTAIN KYLE BECKERMAN AND GK NICK RIMANDO NAMED TO USMNT PRELIMINARY WORLD CUP ROSTER

Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman and GK Nick Rimando have been named to U.S. Men's National Team Manager Jurgen Klinsmann's preliminary 30-man World Cup roster. Beckerman and Rimando will depart Salt Lake City on Wednesday to join the national team for a preparation camp in Palo Alto, Calif. The U.S.'s final 23-man World Cup roster will be announced at a yet to be determined date; FIFA's final deadline for naming the 23-man roster is June 2.

The USMNT will train in Palo Alto for two weeks before taking on Azerbaijan in a friendly match on Tuesday, May 27 at Candlestick Park. That game will be the first of three in the U.S.'s Send-Off Series, with the USMNT heading to New York to take on Turkey at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, June 1 before playing Nigeria at EverBank Field in Jacksonville on Saturday, June 7.

The U.S. will depart for Brazil following its friendly against Nigeria. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on June 12. The United States will play in the tournament's Group G, taking on Ghana on June 16, Portugal on June 22 and Germany on June 26. Should the U.S. finish in the top two of Group G, it will advance to the single-elimination knockout rounds. All of the U.S.'s group stage matches will broadcast live on ESPN.

A regular member of Klinsmann's squad selections, Beckerman has 35 career caps with the United States. Beckerman has started two of the USMNT's three matches this year, playing a total of 161 minutes in friendlies against Korea Republic and Mexico. He appeared in ten matches - including nine starts - for the U.S. in 2013, notching two assists for the Stars-and-Stripes last calendar year. Beckerman captained the U.S. in its 0-0 draw against Canada on Jan. 29, 2013 in Houston and earned CONCACAF Gold Cup Final MVP honors in the U.S.'s tournament clinching win over Panama on July 28, 2013.

Beckerman has started all 10 of RSL's matches this year, helping the Claret-and-Cobalt to its unbeaten start with two goals, two assists and fine defensive work from his spot at the base of the team's midfield diamond.

Nick Rimando has 14 career caps with the U.S senior team. Like Beckerman, Rimando also has two starts for the USMNT this year, playing the full 90 in the team's win over Korea Republic and draw with Mexico. The 34-year-old "˜keeper had six appearances with the USMNT in 2013, posting a perfect 6-0-0 record, registering two shutouts, allowing just four goals and helping lead the team to its CONCACAF Gold Cup crown.

Rimando has started eight of RSL's 10 matches this season, posting a 5-0-3 record, making 31 saves, stopping both attempted penalty kicks against and registering three shutouts. Along with Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, Rimando is one of just three goalkeepers on the U.S.'s 30-man roster. FIFA mandates that all World Cup teams name three goalkeepers to their final 23-man roster.

The USMNT officially qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last September when the Stars-and-Stripes defeated Mexico 2-0 in Columbus and Panama drew 2-2 at Honduras, pushing the U.S. to the top of the CONCACAF Hexagonal group. Beckerman and Rimando were both with the U.S. national team for its qualification, with Beckerman playing a full 90 minutes in the Americans' win over Mexico. The USMNT finished its World Cup Qualifying cycle in first-place in the CONCACAF Hexagonal with a 2-0 win over Jamaica on Oct. 11 and a thrilling 3-2 win over Panama on Oct. 15 in which Beckerman put in a full 90 minutes. The U.S. has won the CONCACAF Hexagonal in three-straight World Cup Qualifying cycles.

Real Salt Lake is one of four clubs to send two players to the Palo Alto camp. Seattle Sounders FC sent three players to the camp, the most from any one team. A total of 24 clubs sent players to the camp.

If Beckerman and Rimando are named to the U.S.'s final World Cup roster, they will miss a minimum of six RSL regular season matches and at least one - and potentially up to three - Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches.

RSL FW ALVARO SABORIO NAMED TO COSTA RICAN PRELIMINARY WORLD CUP ROSTER

Real Salt Lake FW Alvaro Saborio has been named to the Costa Rican National Team's 30-man preliminary World Cup roster. Saborio will depart Salt Lake City for Costa Rica on Wednesday to join Los Ticos for their World Cup preparation camp. Costa Rica Head Coach Jorge Luis Pinto will name his final 23-man roster at a later date; FIFA's final deadline for naming the 23-man roster is June 2.

Costa Rica will play a pair of friendly matches in the U.S. in the buildup to the World Cup, taking on Japan on June 2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa before facing off against Ireland on June 7 at PPL Park outside Philadelphia.

Costa Rica will depart for Brazil following its friendly against Ireland. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on June 12. Los Ticos will play in Group D of the tournament, taking on Uruguay on June 14, Italy on June 20 and England on June 24. The top-two teams from Group D will advance to the single-elimination knockout rounds. Costa Rica's match against Uruguay will be broadcast live on ABC, its game against Italy will be broadcast live on ESPN and its Group D finale against England will be shown live on ESPN2.

Saborio has played a major role in RSL's unbeaten start to the year, starting all 10 of the club's matches, leading the team with six goals and adding a pair of assists. He played in the 2006 World Cup for Costa Rica, coming off the bench in two of La Sele's three matches at the Germany tournament.

Costa Rica qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last fall after finishing second in the CONCACAF Hexagonal, four points behind the United States. Saborio appeared for the national team nine times - five of which were starts - in Costa Rica's Hexagonal campaign. Saborio found the back of the net twice for Los Ticos during qualification, scoring in a 2-2 draw with Panama on Feb. 6, 2013 and providing the game-winner in Costa Rica's 2-1 win over Mexico on Oct. 15, 2013. The RSL Designated Player has 108 career caps with the Costa Rica National Team, recording a total of 45 goals for his home country.

Saborio is one of five MLS players to be named to Costa Rica's 30-man roster, joining the Columbus Crew's Waylon Francis, Giancarlo Gonzalez and Jairo Arrieta and New York's Roy Miller on the squad.

If Saborio is named to Costa Rica's final World Cup roster, he will miss a minimum of six RSL regular season matches and at least one - and potentially up to three - Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches.

REAL SALT LAKE MF JAVIER MORALES NOMINATED FOR MLS GOAL OF THE WEEK

Real Salt Lake's Javier Morales bagged his first career hat trick on Sunday - now he's nominated for MLS Goal of the Week.

The Claret-and-Cobalt's maestro is nominated for his magisterial first minute chip of Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall. Morales' goal - which came just 15 seconds into the game - was the fastest strike in RSL history and the fourth-quickest goal in MLS history.

Morales is up against a strong field this week, going up against goals from Dallas' Michel, New England's Diego Fagundez, Vancouver's Erik Hurtado and New York's Bradley Wright-Phillips. Voting for Goal of the Week runs until 12:59 a.m. MT on Friday.

REAL SALT LAKE RESERVES TO HOST COLORADO RAPIDS RESERVES ON SUNDAY

Real Salt Lake Reserves will host the Colorado Rapids Reserves on Sunday at America First Field in Sandy, Utah at 11:00 a.m. MT. Admission to Sunday's Reserve League match is free and open to the public.

Sunday's tilt will be the Claret-and-Cobalt's second match of the 2014 MLS Reserve League season. The RSL Reserves drew Chivas USA Reserves 1-1 on Tuesday, April 29 at America First Field to open up its 2014 campaign. RSL FW Devon Sandoval scored the only goal for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 42nd minute.

The 2014 Real Salt Lake Reserves are coached by former RSL player and current Claret-and-Cobalt Assistant Coach Andy Williams. This will be Williams' first year as head coach of the Reserves; RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar was the last RSL Reserves head coach.

RSL APPROACHING 12,000 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Thanks to the passion of our fans, Real Salt Lake is rapidly approaching an extension of its record-setting PRIDE season ticket holder total, closing in on the 12,000 Season Ticket Holder milestone.

To honor this monumental event, we're celebrating "RSL's 12,000th Man." While the RSL Family encompasses every person who ever cheers on the Claret-and-Cobalt, the PRIDE signifies those who have made the commitment to become a season ticket holder and be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Tickets to all of RSL's MLS regular season home matches and three additional bonus matches are included in the Real Salt Lake Season Ticket Package. Season Ticket Holders also have a variety of other benefits, including exclusive access to RSL's annual "Meet the Team" event and a discount at the Real Salt Lake Team Store. RSL Season Tickets are currently on sale and available for purchase at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.

REAL SALT LAKE INJURY REPORT

OUT: MF Jordan Allen (R knee injury)

DOUBTFUL: FW Robbie Findley (R knee tendon repair), Rich Balchan (R adductor strain)

Check out the Real Salt Lake Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from May 13, 2014


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