Houston at Real Salt Lake: Report card

Nick Rimando

Rimando was again his normal self between the pipes for RSL against the Dynamo. Credited with five saves, Rimando and his backline held Houston scoreless in picking up the team’s fourth clean sheet in only seven MLS games. Grade: A+

Robbie Russell

Russell appeared to be regaining some of his form after battling a tweaked hamstring earlier in the year. He was solid in possession and closed down on the attacking players well for the most part. A couple missed touches and the only yellow card for RSL didn’t help, but he went the full 90 minutes. Grade B+

Jamison Olave

“The Verb” as he is known among fans was one of the big reasons that Rimando was able to keep the shutout. Olave draw three fouls on the attacking players of the Dynamo in RSL’s third of the field. He also showed his explosive speed in closing the ball and was vital to the defense as he always is. Grade A+

Nat Borchers

Borchers proved yet again how dominating RSL’s defense can be when he and Olave are on the field in central defense together. He put in another solid performance that the fans have come to expect from him, and his amazing tackle late in the game in a 2-on-2 situation preserved the draw for the home team. Grade A+

Chris Wingert

Wingert was instrumental on both sides of the field for RSL against Houston often pushing forward to assist in possession and also tracking back into his normal role along the outside of the defense and helping to win the ball when needed. He registered a shot in the game, but it was off target. Grade A-

Kyle Beckerman

Beckerman is always strong in his defensive midfield role, and Saturday night was no different from the captain. He made smart passes to his teammates and kept possession when necessary, often helping spring a teammate for a run into the attacking third. Grade A

Will Johnson

Johnson and his seemingly never-ending energy were all over the field Saturday playing box-to-box, joining the attack often and also falling back to defend frequently. He played nearly the entire way for RSL and registered a shot. He may be one main piece for RSL as it learns to play without Morales for the next several months. Grade A+

Ned Grabavoy