SANDY, utah — Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola scored for Real Salt Lake, which defeated the Rapids 2-0 on Saturday night.
Real Salt Lake (5-1-0), alone atop the MLS Western Conference standings, extended its unbeaten streak against the Rapids (3-2-0) to seven games, with its last loss in the series coming in May 2009.
The win gave Real Salt Lake a leg up in its bid to keep the Rocky Mountain Cup for a sixth straight season. It also set up a Real Salt Lake showdown next weekend with undefeated Sporting Kansas City, which beat defending champion Los Angeles earlier in the day to remain unbeaten at 5-0.
Espindola’s goal in the 57th minute of Saturday’s game put him in a tie with former standout Robbie Findley for Real Salt Lake’s all-time lead in MLS goals scored with 29. Espindola took a long pass from Luis Gil, sneaked between two Colorado defenders and poked a shot past goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Saborio’s goal in the 20th minute gave Real Salt Lake a 1-0 lead. Will Johnson set up the goal by occupying two defenders, then passing to defender Tony Beltran, who found Saborio in the middle. Saborio controlled the cross with his chest, then got behind Colorado’s back line and scored from 10 yards out.
The Associated Press
