Dismal start dooms RSL in 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy

A slow start for Real Salt Lake saw two goals conceded within the first 15 minutes of tonight's match against LA Galaxy, and from there, it was always going to be a difficult hill to climb.

Starting without Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan — and with them unavailable from the bench — the Galaxy perhaps started a bit brighter than most would have expected, but serious defensive lapses are hardly acceptable in any circumstance.

Mike Magee — always dangerous against Real Salt Lake — scored the first goal with a header coming from a wide free kick, beating both Nat Borchers and Tony Beltran to the ball. Charlie Rugg scored the second goal, a simple finish, after the whole of RSL's defense collapsed in the 13th minute.

RSL was perhaps lucky to enter the half down only two goals. The second half saw attack after attack thwarted as RSL looked to claw its way back into competition, but 12 shots — five of which were blocked — weren't enough to find the goal.

Jason Kreis's side was without Saborio, which didn't help matters, after he was initially named as a starter. Robbie Findley, too, had been slated for the bench but missed out after pre-match training. Both injuries are yet another blow as RSL looks to establish some sort of consistency up top.

RSL's reserves play in the morning; the first team plays again next week.