RSL get the full points at home against Houston

From the opening whistle the match was physical with some players staying on the ground for a while and one eventually subbing off for Houston. The tone was set and RSL did well to keep their cool and not up the ante or show frustration. Jordan Allen was aggressive and pushed the ball up the field coming close to scoring but definitely threatening. Abdoulie Mansally had a couple of poor giveaways on the right flank but Justen Glad and Aaron Maund were able to thwart the Dynamo chances. The account opened for Real Salt Lake in the 36th minute when Joao Plata found Javier Morales at the top of the box who sent in a curler off the post on a half volley. The crowd collectively "oohed" and the half ended 1-0.

The game was not too far into the second half when Kofi Sarkodie had a dangerous tackle from behind on Mansally and was shown red after a prolonged decision from the ref. Houston was still able to create and forced Jeff Attinella to come up with a big save in the 62nd minute that looked destined for the back of the net. In the 65th minute Plata and Morales had a nice give and go play in the area and Plata made a run to the other side of the goal and put in his first of the MLS season. He followed his goal up by pointing at his "watch."

Luke Mulholland nearly had a contender for goal of the year with a bending volley off of a corner from Morales but for a Dynamo defender getting his head on it at the last split second. More chances came for Plata, Allen, and others but two goals was enough to get the job done.