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Goal Breakdown: Good movement gives Saborio chance to score with first touch

Alvaro Saborio scored a goal with his first touch on Saturday, but the movement that led up to it was just as meaningful. We break down his game-winning goal.

Jim Urquhart-USA TODAY Sports

It's a fine run that sees Olmes Garcia win the corner after Javier Morales nearly plays him in on goal - it's a point that illustrates that not every dangerous moment from a striker involves scoring or shooting, and not pass is important because it ends in one of those.

Marking-1_medium

Before the corner, marking is nearly set. FC Dallas has an interesting marking strategy here - a diamond near the near post. We've got a line of players - in fact, it's basically a vertical line leading away from goal. This is actually an important factor. Olmes Garcia is marked, but he's about to come off.

Marking-2_medium

The marking here is fine, but it's the movement that's going to make a difference. Kyle Beckerman and Alvaro Saborio is going to switch sides, while Chris Schuler makes a run from the center to the left. Nat Borchers is basically the one pushing forward without darting off in a direction, and that's as important as anything. Additionally, Sebastian Jaime is making a looping run that confuses his marker.

Beckerman: yellow, Jaime: blue, Saborio: red, Schuler: green

Marking-3_medium

The ball's been sent into the area, and the movement really gets going here. Saborio sees where Javier Morales is sending the ball, while Beckerman's gearing up for a far-post finish and Schuler's moving for a near-post finish. Both of these actions disrupt the marking, particularly as FC Dallas is set up to defend a low, driven cross, not a high, looping cross.

Marking-4_medium

Saborio scores a goal, but if there's a rebound, Beckerman's right there. The quality of the finish is sublime, but it's a goal built through more than just blind luck. It's an example of Real Salt Lake's improvement on set pieces, and it's sure nice to see.