Happy to be Home

It's been a tough start for the defending MLS Cup Champions, playing four of five on the road, three of which losses to playoff-caliber teams, but Rio Tinto proved to be home sweet home once again as Real Salt Lake held on to a 2-1 result against Toronto FC on Saturday night.

After failing to score against C-Bus last week, Real was obviously eager to get on the board early in this one, getting one from Jamison Olave off an Andy Williams corner in the 13th minute. Williams whipped in a great corner that Alvaro Saborio went up for and hit past Toronto goalkeeper Stefam Frei. Olave easily poked the chance in and RSL was off and running.

The difference in the match came off of a picturesque strike from Andy Williams in minute 42. Left fullback Tony Beltran, who was sensational tonight, cut through Toronto's wing defense and laid one off to Andy 18 yards away. Williams stepped up and bent one past Frei, putting his side up 2-0.

The second half seemed to be ripe for one or two more tallies for the home side but missed chances combined with questionable offside flags from the linesman kept them at bay.

Toronto put in their only goal on the night on a penalty kick from Dwayne De Rosario in the 88th minute. The penalty was awarded to Toronto after Kyle Beckerman was called for handling the ball in the box. The cold and rainy match was called shortly after the goal and RSL was able to hold on for their second win on the season.

Man of the Match: Tony Beltran - the young left fullback was EVERYWHERE. He had the assist for the game winner, but what won't show up in the stats is his goal-saving slide tackle early in the second half. If that is converted it's a wholly different match.

Game notes: A little over 12,000 fans braved the elements and were in full voice for the win; no more notes really, I'm too cold.