Real Salt Lake: Beckham makes RSL bend

Beckham's equalizing goal in the 40th minute should've never been allowed according to the referee's original call. Dema Kovalenko was whistled for a dangerous play on the foul that led to Beckham's free kick, an indirect free kick foul. That's what the referee signaled initially, but that's not how it played out as Beckham treated it like a direct free kick and buried the 28-yard blast.

"They kind of came back through the ability of one player," said Morales.

Following a first half that featured four goals on just eight shots, the teams strangely combined for zero goals on 22 shots on the second half.

"That's soccer," said Kovalenko, who started at holding midfield for the first time.

RSL keeper Nick Rimando came up with two key saves on Donovan shots in the second half, in addition to turning away a powerful blast from defender Greg Vanney. Galaxy keeper Steve Cronin's biggest save came on an Andy Williams shot in the 49th minute.

With the score level deep into the second half, Kreis put everything into going for the win, subbing off defender Beltran for forward Robbie Findley in the 74th minute.

"When we're at home we're going to go for wins, when we're away we're going to go for wins, I think that's going to be the mentality of this team. We have a group of guys who can handle that," said Kreis.

Salt Lake returns to action at home next Saturday against Dallas.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com