RSL's Javier Morales grew tired of Portland's "Hack-a-Javy" strategy. (Getty Images)
Last night was just what Real Salt Lake needed to build on the clean sheet result vs. Seattle in the midweek. In the second half, they finally put it all together: defense, midfield, and forwards. The result was an absolute drubbing of the Portland Timbers, who continue to be one of MLS's most under-achieving teams.
The first half wasn't too bad from the Claret and Cobalt either, as they held the majority of the possession and got some chances at goal. In the 19th minute, Will Johnson let loose a sizzling drive that looked sure to put RSL in the lead, but Portland 'keeper Troy Perkins made a great save to tip it over. Jamison Olave had a great chance as well on 35 minutes with a header from a set piece, but collapsed in frustration as the shot went over the bar.
What about the Timbers? How did they manage? Well, they were content to sit back and wait for chances on the counter attack. They came out with Danny Mwanga as the lone striker up front and left DP Kris Boyd on the bench. However, even their counter-attack chances were limited. They had their best chance of the night in the 33rd minute when Olave blocked a counter attack shot from Eric Alexander that preserved the 0-0 tie going into halftime.
RSL finally exploded in the second half, and the Timbers could not keep up with them. On the hour mark, Captain Kyle Beckerman sent a beautiful ball across the six to the far post, where Alvaro Saborio was stationed. The Costa Rican international jumped and headed the ball hard at the ground. It skipped past Troy Perkins to make it 1-0 to RSL.
Sabo wasn't done with his headers either. In the 62nd minute it was Chris Wingert who provided the service for the big striker as he sent a cross into the six. Sabo leaped into the air smashed that one into the net as well to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Then things got ugly. Apparently the Portland Timbers are sore losers.
In the 64h minute, Portland's Diego Chara went in for an absolutely nasty tackle on Javier Morales. In my view, he made no attempt to play the ball. Portland had been going after Javy all night long, and this was the last straw. RSL came rushing to his aid and a scrum ensued, in which former RSL man David Horst absolutely decked Olave. When things were sorted out, yellow cards were given to RSL's Will Johnson and Chara and Horst for Portland. The league needs to take action against Chara and Horst. It was a disgrace. Portland didn't stop there either, as both Lovell Palmer and Steven Smith were given yellow cards in the next 3 minutes for nasty tackles on Morales.
RSL finally put the Timbers out of their misery in the 74th minute. They executed a corner kick, which Sabo again headed toward goal. Diego Chara did his best Luis Suarez impression, and handballed the kick on the goal line. He received a straight red card and RSL was awarded a PK, which Sabo promptly swatted to make it 3-0 and earn his hat trick. Portland could barely get a touch on the ball in the last 15, and only a spectacular save from Perkins in stoppage time kept Morales off the board and preserved the 3-0 score at full time.
NOTES: Portland did not have a single shot on frame the entire match. They drop to 0-6-2 on the road this year, and they haven't scored a single goal in their last five road matches. They held only 37% possession. Ned Grabavoy limped off the pitch in the first half for RSL after a knock to the knee from yet another nasty Portland tackle. His condition will be evaluated further.
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