A week after struggling at home against lowly Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake looked less than convincing against the New England Revolution. They were sloppy, especially at the back, and really nothing like the RSL team we have come to expect, but once again, they managed a win anyways. A brace by Alvaro Saborio brought Salt Lake from a goal down as they defeated New England, 2-1, to move joint-top of the Western Conference.
Real Salt Lake Vs. New England Revolution, 2012 MLS: Saborio Brace Leads RSL Past Revs
Fabian Espindola should have put RSL up early on, but he blew a golden opportunity and Blake Brettschneider made RSL pay for it not too much later. Brettschneider cut in from the left, giving himself just enough room to get a shot off that he squeezed inside the far post for a great goal.
Down 1-0, Salt Lake got answers from Saborio. First, he was lucky to have a cross fall to him after a scrum in front of the net. He just hand to knock it in and RSL was even. Then, he was unmarked at the back post on a free kick, allowing him to easily nod home what would prove to be the winning goal.
All the while, the Revolution put RSL under plenty of pressure. Twice Nick Rimando was asked to make tremendous saves to keep New England from tallying again. The Revs also came close on a few other occasions, but they couldn't find the net.
A 58th minute red card to Will Johnson did open things up for New England, but an equalizer wasn't coming. That advantage went away in the 81st minute anyways when Fernando Cardenas was harshly sent off.
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