BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (ABC 4 Sports) - Robbie Findley, in his second game back from the World Cup, drew and scored a penalty kick in the 40th minute, and goalkeeper Nick Rimando made it stand as RSL defeated the Chicago Fire, 1-0.
The victory extends Real Salt Lake's unbeaten streak to 10 straight games, and improved their franchise record start to 9-3-3.
Rimando notched his 5th straight clean sheet, extending his shutout streak to 498 minutes, the 5th longest streak in MLS history.
"I'm really just so proud of our guys tonight," said RSL head coach Jason Kreis. "We've been from the majority of the season I'd say a team that's played pretty soccer and hasn't had to really battle for things. I think tonight, credit to the Fire in the second half, they really came at us and made it difficult for us. I am just pleased with our guys because they fought through and got the result."
Findley earned the penalty kick from the spot himself after it ruled Chicago's C.J. Brown knocked him over in the area, the striker sending goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra the wrong way before sending his low shot just inside the right post.
“I think the keeper thought I was going the same way so I switched it up," said Findley who scored his third goal of the season. "As I was standing up I hear some of their teammates calling the goalkeeper’s name and I was figuring they were telling him where I went last year so I switched it up.”
Real Salt Lake will next play at FC Dallas July 17th at 6:30 p.m. mountain time.
