RSL renders Supporters Shield claim more difficult to sustain with 2-0 loss in Seattle

Real Salt Lake fell to second place in MLS with a 2-0 loss against Seattle Sounders wherein they truly were second-best throughout.

The opening goal was scored in the third minute, which certainly didn't help Real Salt Lake's cause. Obafemi Martins flicked a ball to an onrushing Andy Rose, who picked up the ball at the touchline and swung the ball back in to Martins, who wisely continued his run. The finish was a simple one, and the defending of Martins was poor at best.

The second goal came in the 38th minute, when Lamar Neagle finished superbly from the same spot as Martins in the center of the box to double the lead and, eventually, secure the win.

Remarkably, RSL kept the score at that same point through the second half, when the defense improved in one-on-one situations, with Nick Rimando making several key saves and Carlos Salcedo looking one of RSL's best players on the evening. Which, of course, wasn't saying much, but Salcedo did well given he was facing Martins, Clint Dempsey, and Eddie Johnson as the second half wore on.

The Supporters Shield race continues, but with RSL two games ahead of Seattle and behind in points, it became all the more difficult.