RSL celebrate Alvaro Saborio's third goal of the night (Getty Images)
RSL fans got what they wanted Saturday night as the Claret and Cobalt thrashed Chivas USA 0-4 at the Home Depot Center. Alvaro Saborio netted his second hat-trick of the season, Paulo Jr. scored a goal, Fabian Espindola recorded three assists, and Nick Rimando posted yet another clean sheet as RSL moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference.
It seems like it was a long time ago that Chivas USA bounced RSL 0-1 at the Riot. At that early point in the season it looked like Robin Fraser's Chivas side might be heading in the right direction as they pieced together a run of outstanding defensive performances. Unfortunately for the Goats, it hasn't worked out that way, or anywhere near that way.
It didn't take RSL long to get things started either. In the 8th minute Fabi sent a cross into the box that Javier Morales flicked on toward the post. Saborio was waiting in the wings to deposit the ball past Dan Kennedy to give the Claret and Cobalt the 0-1 advantage.
Chivas didn't get much time to breathe either, as the next RSL goal came on just 11 minutes. This time the Claret and Cobalt were helped by an uncharacteristic error from Chivas 'keeper Dan Kennedy. He tried to roll the ball out to Ante Jazic, but Fabi sniffed it out and picked off the ball. Espindola then dished to Sabo, who got just enough of the ball to dribble it over the line and give RSL the 0-2 lead.
Morales nearly scored for RSL in the 56th minute when he torched Chivas's defense and beat Dan Kennedy, only to have his shot cleared off the line by John Valenica. Sabo followed that up by icing his hat-trick in outstanding fashion in the 65th minute. Kennedy stopped a shot from Will Johnson, but gave up a rebound to Sabo. The Costa Rican executed a deft turn and floated the ball in off the bottom of the crossbar to give RSL the 0-3 lead. Paulo Jr. would add a goal of his own in the 81st minute to make the full time result 0-4.
Obviously pretty much everything went right for RSL in this one. It wasn't luck either. It was our players working hard, being where they were supposed to be, and doing what they were supposed to do on the pitch. Chivas never really had an answer for the offense, and Nick Rimando was more than up to the task when Chivas did try to score. The defense did well despite the absence of Jamison Olave to yellow card suspension. Chris Schuler made the start and looked good. Knowing that we also have Kwame-Watson Siriboe is a nice luxury and gives RSL much needed depth on the back line.
Let's temper the expectations just a little bit though. Yes, RSL has gotten the results they needed in recent weeks. However, Portland and Chivas are bottom of the pack in the West, so they'll need at least that kind of an effort going forward. Their last three games are at LA, at Seattle, and at home vs Vancouver, all playoff teams at least at the moment. The last match of the season could be interesting especially if Vancouver needs three points to clinch a playoff spot.
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