Real Salt Lake defeats Chivas USA, 4-1

Real Salt Lake routed Chivas USA 4-1 Sunday night at The Home Depot Center behind two goals from Ned Grabavoy.

RSL struck immediately in the fourth minute on Grabavoy’s first goal of the year. Midfielder Javier Morales appeared to gear up to unleash a strike from deep outside the box, but did not hit the ball square, sending a squibler that found Grabavoy as he made his run. Grabavoy hit the back of the net as he shot from near the arc outside the box.

The Rojiblancos tried to respond with multiple scoring threats throughout the first half, but could not even the score.

Midfielder Martin Aaron Ponce, in his first start with the team, sent a low cross from the left side to a cutting Jose Correa in the 31st minute. Correa’s accurate header caused RSL keeper Nick Rimando to make a last-second save to preserve the 1-0 lead going into intermission.

RSL went up 2-0 in the 48th minute off a deflected pass when Joao Plata recovered the loose ball, kept possession down the middle of the field, and shot from on top of the 18-yard line past keeper Dan Kennedy.

Chivas USA answered however, cutting the lead in half in the 55th minute when Jorge Villafaña knocked in his first goal of the season.

On the play, midfielder Edgar Mejia sent a cross from the right sideline and into the short area. Villafaña, positioned at the near post, then headed the ball past Rimando. The assist brought Mejia’s season total to three, tying him for the team lead.

Midfielder Giovani Casillas entered in the 56th minute and nearly helped the Red-and-White score the equalizer. Casillas crossed a pass from the left wing to Correa, who brought the pass down and got off a shot, but Rimando was able to deny the threat.

RSL stretched their lead in the 78th minute on a miscue by the Goats' defense when Robbie Findley recovered a loose ball and found the back of the net for his second goal of the year.

Grabavoy would later put the finishing touch on the game in the 91st minute, knocking in his second goal of the match for the 4-1 result on Khari Stephenson’s first assist.

Chivas USA will next travel to face the Colorado Rapids in a Western Conference battle.

Scoring Summary
RSL Ned Grabavoy 1 (Javier Morales 2) 4’
RSL Joao Plata 1 (Kyle Bekerman 2) 48’
CHV Jorge Villafaña 1 (Edgar Mejia 3) 55’
RSL Robbie Findley 2 (unassisted) 77’
RSL Ned Grabavoy 2 (Khari Stephenson 1) 91’

Misconduct Summary
CHV Martin Aaron Ponce (Yellow, foul) 33’
CHV Walter Vilchez (Yellow, foul) 34’
RSL Yordany Alvarez (Yellow, foul) 84’

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services