Real Salt Lake’s first US Open Cup final.
Real Salt lake have advanced to the final of the US Open Cup for the first time in their history after a narrow 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers.
Salt Lake were on the scoresheet early on in the game, when Alvaro Saborio rose highest to meet Kyle Beckerman’s cross, powering his header across goal to bounce in off the far post.
The Timbers responded well, mounting a number of threatening attacks which culminated in the 40th minute with their best chance of the half. After some pretty build up play Andrew Jean-Baptise squared a lofted ball across the area to the advancing Will Johnson, who did well to drill a half-volley at goal only to be denied by a fantastic save from Nick Rimando who got a strong arm on the ball to tip it over.
Diego Valeri missed a sitter in the 72nd minute, when after ghosting in behind the Salt Lake defence unmarked, he failed to get his header on target and was made to regret it by Salt Lake five minutes later.
Saborio received a Beckerman pass and dropped it back to substitute Joao Plata who curled a lovely 25 yard finish past the helpless Donovan Ricketts.
The Timbers ensured a tense finish when Valeri headed home after Rimando blocked his earlier shot, but Salt Lake held on and did enough to earn their place in the final.
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