Espindola brace lifts RSL past Chivas

Espindola’s fifth and sixth goals of the season, which came on opposite sides
of halftime, ensured that Real (10-3-2) stays atop the overall Major League
Soccer table for another week as the Claret and Cobalt improve to an MLS-best
32 points.

Chivas (4-7-3) stays on 15 points through 14 games, losing its sixth home
match from eight this term.

Alvaro Saborio thought he had given Real Salt Lake the lead in the 35th minute
when he scored off a through ball from Chris Wingert, but he was ruled offside
and the goal was disallowed.

The visitors were still able to get in front before the break as Kyle
Beckerman delivered a perfect ball into the box for Espindola to guide a
glancing header past Dan Kennedy in the 41st minute.

Nine minutes into the second half, Espindola completed his brace to give Real
a two-goal lead. The Argentine latched on to a through ball from Ned Grabavoy,
eased past Rauwshan McKenzie with a quick stepover and slipped a low shot past
Kennedy.

Johnson chipped in with a third goal for the visitors, curling a shot from the
top of the box into the far corner with the last kick of the ball.

Both sides return to the pitch on Wednesday as Real Salt Lake heads home to
host the Los Angeles Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium while Chivas USA welcomes the
Montreal Impact to The Home Depot Center.