Real Salt Lake back on track after D.C. shutout

SANDY — Real Salt Lake's hopes of catching the L.A. Galaxy for the MLS Supporter's Shield were dimmed slightly in recent weeks by back-to-back disappointing results.

It regained some of that swagger Saturday night, but more importantly RSL picked up three much-needed points.

"It's been a rough couple weeks, we had two bad results in a row. I was driving on the way here and I just said there's no way we're going home without three points tonight. I try to play that way every week but I managed to find a little bit extra this week," said midfielder Will Johnson.

It wasn't a perfect performance, but Real Salt Lake finished enough of the chances it hasn't in recent weeks to beat D.C. United 3-0 in front of 17,719 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The win helped Real Salt Lake close to within six points of the West-leading Galaxy with 12 games remaining.

"Coming off of two disappointing results in a row we needed a positive response, we needed a positive result tonight. We got both," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

It was all about the first goal.

All year, but especially at home, Real Salt Lake has been virtually impossible to beat when scoring first. That's what made Alvaro Saborio's 13th minute strike on a through ball from Ned Grabavoy so important.

Even though it was a soft goal conceded by D.C. keeper Troy Perkins — slightly reminiscent of Rimando's gaffe against Chivas USA the week before — it meant D.C. United couldn't just sit back and defend like most teams do.

"Often times that first goal makes or breaks the game for you. It changes tactics. We've had a lot of teams come in here and sit, and if we can't score that first goal then they're content to do that," said Kreis. "When we score a goal they have to open up, and as we've seen before we're pretty dangerous when teams open up against us."

RSL eventually capitalized on D.C. chasing the game, but it took much longer than expected thanks to some sloppy second half soccer.

Robbie Findley doubled RSL's advantage with a shot off the post in the 79th minute and then a cheeky finish by substitute Nelson Gonzalez in stoppage time pushed the lead to 3-0.

Findley's goal was a huge sense of a relief for Kreis.

Leading 1-0 at the break, Real Salt Lake wasn't sharp in the early proceedings of the second half and Kreis had a gut feeling D.C. United would score.