MLS Review: RSL hands Galaxy first defeat

Posted Jun 10, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 10, 2010 at 12:11 PM

Late goals give Real Salt Lake victory and earn a point for Colorado on the road in Chicago in Wednesday’s Major League Soccer action.

REAL SALT LAKE 1, LOS ANGELES 0: Javier Morales took advantage of a remarkably unlucky deflection to hand the Galaxy their first loss of the season, extending RSL’s undefeated streak at Rio Tinto Stadium to 19 games.

The game was delayed early due to lightning but after play resumed it was for the most part a tight game.  RSL’s Ned Grabavoy was denied by Donovan Ricketts as RSL pressed to take the lead, while the Galaxy went close to equalizing through Juninho late.

COLORADO 2, CHICAGO 2: Connor Casey’s stoppage-time header stole a point for the Rapids as they earned a draw against the Fire for the second time this season.

Omar Cummings had given the Rapids the lead in the 21st minute, but the Fire hit back quickly as the Rapids’ defensive wall disintegrated allowing Marco Pappa to fire home from a free kick.  Pappa then gave the Fire the lead just before halftime, capping a beautiful move as Baggio Husidic picked up his second assist of the night.

Both sides kept pushing forward in the second half, Cummings going close to his second goal of the game only to hit the post in the 71st minute. But as Chicago appeared to be set to take all three points Casey headed home to extend the Rapids’ undefeated streak.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

PHILADELPHIA (2-6-1) AT KANSAS CITY (2-5-3): The Wizards earned a point on the road against Toronto on Saturday, but need to put together a string of positive results in order to get back into the playoff picture.

Without a win in their last eight league games, going 0-5-3 in that span, the Wizards have struggled in front of goal, scoring two goals only once this season. Philadelphia has been better of late, especially the front pairing of Jaime Moreno, and the Union could take their second road win of the season tonight.

D.C. UNITED (2-8-1) AT SEATTLE (4-5-3): The Sounders produced their best half of the season on the way to a 3-0 rout of New England on Saturday and will want to keep that momentum going as they enter the World Cup break.

D.C. might on paper look like a team the Sounders would be able to accomplish that against, but United has been played far better of late, earning a draw against Real Salt Lake in their last league outing after beating the MLS Cup holders to reach the final stage of the U.S. Open Cup.

The question for D.C. is where the goals will come from tonight. Andy Najar has done well since his introduction to the line-up, but D.C. has been shut out eight times in their 11 league games this season.