Harrison, N.J. • Real Salt Lake’s winning streak has now reached five games.

Unlike the team’s last few games, however, Wednesday’s victory against the New York Red Bulls was wrapped up early.

Playing without the suspended Kyle Beckerman, RSL scored three times within the opening 21 minutes and rolled out of Red Bull Arena with a 3-1 win, it’s first against the Red Bulls on the road..

It’s been a streak, three of which have been on the road, of new accomplishments. RSL’s victory in Seattle recently was another place it had never won.

“Our group was ready to play this game and New York wasn’t,” RSL coach Jason Kreis said afterward. “All in all, we managed things pretty well.”

In fact, Real’s goal total Wednesday matched its entire output in its previous six road games against the Red Bulls. The victory also moves RSL into a second-place tie with Seattle in the MLS Western Conference.

RSL has now outscored New York 6-1 this season. Real defeated the struggling Red Bulls 3-0 earlier this season at Rio Tinto Stadium.

In a dream start, RSL forward Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio ripped apart New York’s defense. Espindola scored twice.

Although the Red Bulls had the first threatening shot of the game, it was RSL that dominated from the start. The carnage began in the ninth minute when an unmarked Saborio headed a pinpoint Andy Williams corner kick past Bulls keeper Frank Rost.

New York defensive breakdowns led directly to the next two RSL goals. Red Bulls defender Tim Ream appeared to hear footsteps and let the ball loose inside his own 18. Espindola was there to clean up the mistake in the 11th minute.

Salt Lake’s final goal of the half started on a counterattack. Williams split the Red Bulls defense with a pass to Collen Warner, who found Espindola. The Argentine flicked the ball with his left foot over Rost in the 21st minute.

New York finally got on the board in the 69th minute on a spectacular bicycle kick from Joel Lindpere on a free kick from Rafael Marquez. If Kreis had a problem with his team, it was the second-half performance, including decisions made in possession.

“Our choices with the ball were not good enough,” he said. “For me, there is certainly room for improvement. We were a little bit fortunate tonight.”

Lindpere nearly scored a goal minutes before his bicycle kick, but his long-range effort rattled the cross bar. RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando appeared to get a touch on the shot that rebounded straight down. Sure-handed Rimando made several key saves late, including a successful diving effort in extra time, as RSL preferred to lay back and defend.

Real may have had some questions at midfield without Beckerman, who was suspended for too many yellow cards. However, the combination of Warner and newly acquired Yordany Alvarez answered each one.

Beckerman should be back Saturday when RSL goes for its sixth straight at D.C. United at RFK Stadium.