SANDY - Real Salt Lake held on to beat New York at home 1-0 off of a Fabian Espindola goal, earning their 22nd consecutive game at home without a loss, equalizing the all-time MLS mark held by Columbus.
RSL continued their recent pattern of scoring at home when Kyle Beckerman made a nice one-touch flick over the top to Espindola, who easily beat his marker to the ball and put it away past goalkeeper Greg Sutton to give the home team a 1-0 advantage in the fourth minute.
In the 12th minute, New York nearly equalized as Juan Pablo Angel displayed his aerial skills, but his solid header was parried wide by goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Real Salt Lake enjoyed some fluid possession in the opening half, but were unable to finish any of their chances to push the lead to two goals. One of those chances came when Andy Williams found himself alone at the far post courtesy of a Javier Morales cross, but he couldn't connect the volley full-on sent a weak shot Sutton's way.
In the 33rd minute, it appeared again that an Angel header may give the Red Bulls an equalizer. The striker nodded a free kick towards the goal and appeared to be deflected just in front of Rimando. The ball dribbled towards the far corner of the net but, fortunately for Salt Lake, Williams had maintained his position at the post and was able to clear the ball off the line.
Just a few minutes after that, it was RSL once again creating the danger. Chris Wingert delivered a cross to forward Robbie Findley, who found himself in front of goal with just Sutton to beat. However, Findley's couldn't connect a solid header and the ball went directly to Sutton, who reacted quickly to keep the ball.
In the second half, New York came out intent to push the game more than they had to open. They pushed both outside backs forward much more, and tried to use the width of the field to their advantage. As a result they did manage to generate more attack coming in from the flanks.
Angel, set to unlock the back of the Real Salt Lake net, again troubled the home team in the 55th minute. The striker once more rose to nod a cross and put it on frame, but Rimando was able to make the reaction save. The ball, though, found its way directly back to Angel and the striker hit a shot past Rimando and on towards the goal. Once again, RSL were able to clear it off the line, with Beckerman this time appearing as the savior.
In the 73rd minute, RSL looked set to put the game away with a three versus two counter-attack. Williams played the ball into space to Findley. The forward stopped with the ball in the box, allowing the defender to run by, but Sutton rushed off his line and got a hand on Findley's shot to send it just side.
Despite some late attempts by New York, Real Salt Lake were able to preserve the 1-0 victory, and equal the MLS best home unbeaten streak.
