RSL get exposed in first half, lose in L.A. 5-2

Things got off to a poor start for RSL who was under the gun for the first five minutes after the opening whistle. RSL absorbed until a quick penalty came around the 5th minute when the ref saw something most of us didn't - that Tony Beltran took down Giovani Dos Santos in the box. Steven Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty against the best in MLS if not the world at stopping PKs and wouldn't you know it, Nick Rimando stepped up and stopped another one in his 400th appearance in MLS play. Things turned around pretty quickly after RSL switched the momentum around and a couple chances came Salt Lake's way. One of those chances was a nice bit of service from Luke Mulholland who crossed the ball into the box and found Juan Manuel Martinez who streched out and headed it home. There was a nice little celebration dance that ensued with Olmes Garcia. The roller coaster was just starting though when Gyasi Zardes was able to get Aaron Maund turned around and hit it far post and in. Things were tied up in the 20th minute at one goal a piece. An unexpected substitution came in the 23rd minute when Burrito was subbed off and Demar Phillips came on. In the 26th, Mike Magee snuck into the box with nobody finding him until it was too late and the Galaxy had rapidly turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Tthings started going sour for Salt Lake when Jamison Olave got caught trying to catch up to Ema Boateng who made it 3-1 in the 42nd. RSL were on their heals the rest of the half and Giovani Dos Santos decided to get in on the fun when nobody marked his late run. 4-1 is how the half would end.

RSL took Chris Wingert's halftime advice and decided to step up for the last 45. They looked much better in the half. Javier Morales came on and RSL's possession game improved. Some nice play from Jordan Allen created a chance for RSL and when Yura Movsisyan was prevented from reaching the ball as he was pulled down in the box, a penalty was awarded to Salt Lake and Javier Morales did his patented stutter step and pulled RSL within two with about 20 minutes left to play. RSL had some half chances the rest of the way but nothing that would result in any goals. The Galaxy, however, poured salt in the wound and Steven Gerrard took advantage of a bad giveaway to hand L.A. another and the match ended 5-2 handing RSL their first lost of the season.