MLS Real Salt Lake

RSL Scores Three in First Half to Cruise to 3-0 Win

Published on June 1, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake (7-5-3, 24 points, West #2) extended its run of hot form on Saturday night, getting three first half goals to cruise to a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes (3-5-6, 15 points, West #8) at Rio Tinto Stadium.

MF Javier Morales, MF Ned Grabavoy and FW Robbie Findley scored for RSL, which moved into sole possession of second-place in the Western Conference with Saturday's win. The Claret-and-Cobalt is now 5-1-1 in its last seven matches across all competitions.

Morales opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Findley collected a ball on the right flank and ran in on goal, firing a 10-yard shot off of diving San Jose GK Jon Busch. Morales pounced on the rebound, calmly slotting his eight-yard effort inside the left post to give RSL the early lead.

The Claret-and-Cobalt continued pressing after scoring the opener, controlling possession and keeping San Jose in its own half. The nonstop pressure came to a head in the 33rd minute, with Grabavoy scoring a fine goal to double RSL's advantage. Findley again started the play, finding Morales on the right wing with a through ball. The Argentine playmaker curled a low cross to the middle toward FW Joao Plata, who brilliantly let the ball through to Grabavoy at the back post. The former 'Quake did the rest, running onto Plata's dummy and blasting a 15-yarder into the top-right corner from the left side.

Findley made it 3-0 just five minutes later. Plata got to the end line on the left side, hitting a low cross into the middle that a San Jose player cleared right to Findley in the left side of the area. The 27-year-old speedster controlled the ball nicely, taking one touch before curling a low, right-footed laser past a diving Busch and inside the far post from 15 out.

Shell-shocked, San Jose Head Coach Frank Yallop made two changes in the 40th minute, bringing FW Steven Lenhart on for MF Sam Cronin and MF Rafael Baca in for MF Adam Jahn.

The changes paid minor dividends in the opening minutes of the second half, with San Jose controlling stretches of the game and registering a couple of decent looks on goal. The 'Quakes first good chance came in the 58th minute, when MF Marvin Chavez unleashed a long-range rocket that RSL GK Nick Rimando parried away. San Jose DF Steven Beitashour latched onto the rebound just outside the six, but hit his right footed shot over the bar.

Rimando made another good stop in the 65th minute. 2012 MLS Golden Boot winner FW Chris Wondolowski collected a Baca pass in the right side of the box, firing a low 10-yarder to the near post that Rimando parried out for a corner.

Grabavoy had a half chance in the 68th and San Jose had another decent look in the 74th. Lenhart collected a loose cross in the right side of the box and hit a side volley toward the near post that Rimando punched away nicely.

RSL and the 'Quakes will meet again on Sunday in MLS Reserve League action, with the Real Salt Lake Reserves taking on the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves at 11:00 a.m. MT at America First Field in Sandy. The match is open to the public and free to attend.

The Claret-and-Cobalt will return to MLS action next Saturday, June 8, when it will take on the LA Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL will host the Charleston Battery in the fourth-round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Rio Tinto Stadium.

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