This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • Real Salt Lake didn't mind inflicting a bit of self-made pressure.
With a winless string of four consecutive games, RSL's players made no bones about needing three points. Anything less than a victory Saturday against visiting Toronto was not acceptable.
Toronto FC and its porous defense was the perfect elixir for a team that, while it may not have doubted itself, was searching for a few answers.
Nat Borchers' header in the 39th minute unlocked the pressure cooker and helped pave the way to a 3-1 Major League Soccer victory before 15,077 enthusiastic fans at Rio Tinto Stadium. Add in a pair of scores from slumping Alvaro Saborio and the victory was truly good for what ailed everyone wearing red jerseys.
"Massive," said RSL coach Jason Kreis about Borchers' header off of a corner kick. "Massive, massive, massive.
"Momentum is a funny thing in soccer. I felt like we went through a spell there in the first half where we had a ton of momentum but didn't get the rewarding goal. And so to have that goal sort of break through for us was really important."
The important three points moved RSL (7-3-5) closer to third-place Seattle in the Western Conference.
"My goal was the result of all the hard work we put in," said Borchers. "It was a great ball from Kyle [Beckerman]. I really couldn't miss."
In reality, however, the final score did not reflect Real's true domination. RSL claimed 10 shots on goal to Toronto's one. In the end, Toronto (2-7-9) could only keep pace by increasing its physical play. Its one late goal was the result of an RSL slip.
Deflections and just plain bad luck prevented Saborio from putting the ball past TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei at least four times prior to Borchers' breakthrough.
The talented striker, not listed as a starter until game time, finally broke out of his own personal nightmare with a pair of perfect finishes. His first came in the 42nd minutes. Then, in the 60th minute, RSL defender Robbie Russell lifted a rainbow over the Toronto defense.
Saborio calmly struck pay dirt.
"It was a very good pass from [Russell]," Saborio said. "Now we have to continue forward."
No one was more pleased than Kreis that Saborio scored his first MLS goal since October.
"The contribution Alvaro made for us tonight was huge and important for us probably more important for him," Kreis said. "I feel like our club has been improving over the past several weeks. This was another positive step for us, which I am hoping will continue forward."
Highlights
R Real Salt Lake outshoots Toronto FC 19-6, with 10 shots on goal.
• Kyle Beckerman assists on RSL's first two goals.
• Toronto's lone goal comes in the 66th minute by forward Malcon Santos.