An early goal by MF Javier Morales and a late insurance tally from FW Robbie Findley would help Real Salt Lake (6-6-5, 23 pts.) post a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Crew (8-5-3, 27 pts.) in front of 12,378 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Defense again played a large role in RSL's success on the night, as GK Nick Rimando was forced to make only two saves en route to his MLS-best tying sixth clean sheet of the campaign, and his fifth shutout performance in RSL's last seven League contests. With the win, Real Salt Lake jumped past the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA to move into sole possession of first-place in the Western Conference standings, marking the first time the Utah side has held the conference's top spot in its four seasons of play.
Match Notes - RSL 2 : 0 CLB
• Tonight's win also put Real Salt Lake back at .500 for the season, with the result giving RSL an even record at the latest date in club history (previously mark heading into 0-1 L at Kansas City on 6/28/08)
• The win also kept RSL undefeated at home, with the squad now extending its franchise-high home undefeated streak to 10 games (5-0-5). RSL remains one of two teams in MLS this season undefeated on its home turf (Toronto FC, 5-0-3).
• Rimando broke a tie with former RSL 'keeper Scott Garlick on the League's career shutout chart, as the UCLA product earned his 49th career clean sheet to move into sole possession of fifth place in League annals in the category. Next ahead on the list is New York Red Bulls veteran netminder Zach Thornton (57).
• With his fourth minute free kick goal, Morales temporarily moved into a tie for the team lead with his third goal of the campaign, moving him even with Findley, MF Kyle Beckerman, and FW Fabian Espíndola. However, Findley would claim the lead for himself in the second half by netting his fourth goal of the season in the 78th minute.
• Findley's goal was the third off the bench for the young striker this season, and the fifth for the squad off the substitutes bench on the campaign.
• After notching another clean sheet, Real Salt Lake has now allowed just three goals in its last eight contests, a span in which the team has collected a 4-1-3 record (15 pts.).
• Tonight marked the first career MLS start for FW Tino Nuñez, who played 69 minutes until being substituted for fellow striker Kenny Deuchar.
• M/D Nathan Sturgis made his first appearance on RSL's 18-man gameday roster since he suffered a left hamstring injury on April 19 at Toronto FC.
• Real Salt Lake will begin a stretch of seven away matches in its next 10 League contests next Saturday, July 19, at the Chicago Fire (7-5-3, 24 pts.), who used a second half stoppage time goal from MF John Thorrington to defeat Toronto FC 2-1 at Toyota Park this evening.
Columbus Crew (8-5-3) vs. Real Salt Lake (6-6-5)
July 12, 2008 -- Rice-Eccles Stadium
Scoring Summary:
RSL -- Javier Morales 3 (unassisted) 4
RSL -- Robbie Findley 4 (Kenny Deuchar 1) 78
Columbus Crew
-- William Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Danny O'Rourke, Ryan Junge (Stefani Miglioranzi 56), Emmanuel Ekpo (Duncan Oughton 51), Brian Carroll, Brad Evans, Robbie Rogers, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Steven Lenhart 70), Alejandro Moreno.
Substitutes Not Used: Jason Garey, Andy Gruenebaum, Andy Iro, Jed Zayner
Real Salt Lake
-- Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Ian Joy, Andy Williams (Nathan Sturgis 89), Dema Kovalenko, Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Yura Movsisyan (Robbie Findley 64), Tino Nunez (Kenny Deuchar 69).
Substitutes Not Used: Kenny Cutler, Matias Mantilla, Alex Nimo, Chris Seitz
Misconduct Summary:
CLB -- Duncan Oughton (caution; Reckless Foul) 65
RSL -- Kyle Beckerman (caution; Reckless Foul) 78
RSL -- Tony Beltran (caution; Reckless Foul) 81
RSL -- Nat Borchers (caution; Reckless Foul) 90
Referee:
Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants:
Craig Lowry; Fabio Tovar
4th official:
Richard Heron
Time of game: 1:49
Attendance: 12,378
Weather: Clear -and- 90 degrees
