Player Ratings: Midfield, strikers put RSL in good position in 4-2 win over Portland Timbers

Nick Rimando - 7 Nick made a couple impressive saves as usual, but truth be told he probably should have been able to stop Nagbe's low goal from outside the area. It wasn't all his fault but he was in a good position to save it. I don't think he was expecting Nagbe to pull the trigger though.

Nat Borchers - 7 Nat was a rock in the back for the most part. He did what he could to lead the defense and I don't remember any critical mistakes from the White Rhino.

Carlos Salcedo - 7 Salcedo seems to be learning with every minute played. I maintain that he is a revelation from the academy system and that he will be a valuable player for RSL for years to come. He is already showing potential to be one of the best defenders in MLS.

Chris Wingert - 5 Definitely not Wingert's best game. He gave up some pretty simple passes in relatively pressureless situations. He also gave Nagbe way too much freedom to take a shot at his liesure. He just didn't look sharp.

Tony Beltran - 7.5 Beltran was the best defender on the field. He held the ball up well as per usual, made timely tackles, and put himself in positions to keep the Portland offense at bay.

Kyle Beckerman - 7 Credited with an assist, Beckerman did a nice job to keep possession and to attack when the time was right. He is the piston of the RSL game plan and he makes it look effortless.

Ned Grabavoy - 9 Not one off his passes were intercepted. Just when I thought Grabavoy couldn't get any sharper, he showed me otherwise. He is making a strong argument not only for MVP of the year for Real, but for a healthy contract extension. Grabavloy deserves as mich credit as anyone for RSL's record-breaking goal scoring season. I know the forwards are five deep, but Grabavoy has added a whole new dimension to the attack, largely due to his commitment to improve.

Luis Gil - 8.5 Quite possibly his best game of the year as far as a complete performance goes. Gil's goal was clinical. In order to make that goal he had to put it in the perfect spot and he did just that. He was involved in the offense and solid on defense. That's a few games in a row now that he has done well. If he can keep that up, RSL will be in a gret position to keep up this form.

Javier Morales - 9 A fantastic bicycle kick goal off the far post off of a first touch that got away from him. He reacted quickly and made it look like the whole thing was planned. He also had another assist and was creating the whole night. He even looked like he has gained some quickness and is in as good of form as I ever remember seeing.

Joao Plata - 9.5 Plata had a beautiful goal and two quality assists and on top of that his defense according to Kreis was "second to none." This is the first time I have seen Plata thrive in a starting role. I hope there is more to come because he genuinely looks like he is having the time of his life on the field and the team feeds off of it. How many more goal celebration dances does he have up his sleeve? I would be happy to find out.

Alvaro Saborio - 8 Sabo is probably the best forward in MLS when it comes to headers. His goal was a thing of beauty off of a free kick in a difficult place to get it past the keeper and his work rate to hold up the ball impressed me even more than usual.

Substitutes

Robbie Findley - 5.5 Findley looks to me like he prefers laying the ball off for others rather than taking a shot himself. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do like a forward to be hungry to score. Tactically and defensively Findley is doing all the right things, he just needs to take a crack once in a while.

Sebastian Velasquez - 6 Rufio is getting more minutes these days which I am happy about. I think he is a critical part of RSL's furure and needs to play to get comfortable in more of a leadership role. He is a possession player and did what he could in about 20 minutes.