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Sandy • With every Real Salt Lake shot, RSL fans' shouts and whistles pierced the air.

They had come to see their team take on one of the world's biggest soccer powers, and RSL gave them plenty to shout about.

Monday's friendly against Manchester United came just two days before a league match, and so the message throughout the week was to have fun and use the exhibition match to prepare for Portland.

"When I came back from warmups," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said, "it was like, 'Forget about enjoying ourselves, let's go out and try to win this thing.' "

RSL came up short of that, in a 2-1 loss, but the starters' 30 minutes on the field displayed an explosive attack that managed to get on the scoreboard first.

"That 6-2 win at L.A. gave us confidence," midfielder Albert Rusnák said, "and today I think we showed everybody that we can play great soccer, even against bigger clubs."

RSL's dominance against the Galaxy before the break featured an impressive offensive showing, with attacking midfielders Joao Plata, Jefferson Savarino and Rusnák clicking on all cylinders.

But there were some caveats: L.A. put a depleted squad out on the pitch, while RSL was as close to full strength as it had been in a long time.

RSL had also been shut out at home by Orlando City in its previous match.

Could Real Salt Lake sustain that sort of scoring power, or what it just a one-time thing?

The Manchester United exhibition began to answer that.

After a two-week break in play, the RSL starters' attack looked like the one that had made Swiss cheese of the Galaxy's defense in the second half.

RSL put an extra emphasis on pushing up the outside backs in the Galaxy match. That was something coach Mike Petke wanted to build upon over the break, and on Monday it showed.

"I think we're always trying to get our outside backs into the attack," Beckerman said. "I think a lot of games are decided when whosever team is getting their outside backs into the attack more than the other."

RSL had its breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Jefferson Savarino played a pass to Luis Silva's feet, and he finished it to give RSL a 1-0 lead.

Manchester United responded with a goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryn six minutes later, and the RSL starters left the pitch tied at one goal apiece.

Still, to end 30 minutes in a draw with a club like Manchester United was an accomplishment.

"Our biggest focus is on Wednesday," Beckerman said, "but we know its important bringing in a big club like Manchester United to put on a decent performance and compete."