Cunningham scores 3 goals in win

BRADENTON, Fla. — It was only a preseason game, but if Jeff Cunningham's performance against D.C. United was any indicator of things to come, Real Salt Lake's scoring production could double this year.

Cunningham recorded a hat trick in the first half to lead RSL to a convincing 3-1 victory Friday over D.C. United on the campus of the IMG Academies. The win improved Salt Lake's preseason record to 5-1.

Training camp trialist Atiba Harris (St. Kitts & Nevis) assisted on one of the goals. Cunningham and Harris are an attacking duo that could see more time together this season.

In RSL's final preseason game, it took Cunningham just 13 minutes to put away his first goal on an assist from Harris. Five minutes later, D.C. leveled the score at 1-1 on a 25-yard free kick from Christian Gomez.

Salt Lake pulled back in front in the 28th minute as Cunningham showed off his dribbling skills near the right edge of the penalty area before burying the 15-yard shot. The former Colorado Rapid wasn't done. In the 39th minute, he used his speed to free himself of D.C.'s defense and buried the low, driven shot.

RSL coach John Ellinger gradually began replacing his starters in the second half, but he kept Jay Nolly in goal the entire game, and the second-year player rewarded his coach. In the 62nd minute, D.C.'s Jamil Walker broke through Real's defense and had a one-on-one opportunity with Nolly, who came racing off his line to make the save near the top of the box.

Salt Lake is taking the weekend off as it relocates training camp to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for the next two weeks.

Salt Lake's lineup, with substitutes at times in parentheses, was: Nolly, Chris Brown (Adolfo Gregorio, 65), Nelson Akwari, Daniel Torres (Nik Besagno, 65), Gustavo Cabrera (Willis Forko, 65), Douglas Sequeira (Kenny Cutler, 60), Mehdi Ballouchy (Ryan Johnson, 46), Seth Trembly (Christian Jimenez, 60), Andy Williams (Diego Walsh, 60), Harris (Jeff Rowland, 46, Adam Acosta, 80), and Cunningham (Jamie Watson, 46).