Bewerbungen » ee innings. He struck out two, walked one and

SANDY, Utah -- Real Salt Lake is in rare territory. Before this season, U.S. Open Cup matches were not synonymous with success for the MLS club. RSL experienced early exits more often than victories in the nations oldest soccer tournament. It has been a completely different story this time around, and Salt Lake took another big step to winning the cup Wednesday night. Alvaro Saborio scored once and assisted on Joao Platas goal to lead RSL to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers. RSL will host DC United in the championship game Oct. 1 after United beat the Chicago Fire 2-0 earlier in the evening. The winner of the final will qualify for a spot in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League. Salt Lake started on the right foot by attacking relentlessly in the opening moments and it paid off with Saborios goal in the 7th minute. "Scoring early is big for us," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "We reward ourselves from the momentum that we create at the beginning of the match. It is always important. Weve done a good job of that lately." Khari Stephenson forced a corner kick with a shot from distance to set up the scoring play. Following the corner kick, Kyle Beckerman sent a cross into Saborio on the left side of the 6-yard box. He then redirected a header back toward the right post and the ball bounced off the post and in. "It was a very important goal because we needed to score early," Saborio said. "Kyle gave me a very good cross and I got in a good header." Strong play from Nick Rimando kept Portland from answering in the first half. The Timbers got into scoring position several times, but came away empty after some clutch saves from Rimando. The biggest came in the 40th minute when Will Johnson kicked a right-footer down the centre of the box. It looked like a sure goal, but Rimando managed to poke the ball away with his fingertips at the last minute. "I need to figure out what hes eating so I can eat the same thing," Kreis said. Ryan Johnson had another good chance for Portland when he uncorked a header during first-half stoppage time. The ball bounced off the left post. Portland did all the things it needed to do to be in control by halftime. The Timbers dominated possession. They created more shots and put the RSL defence on its heels more often. But finding the finishing touch was a problem. Still, Portland coach Caleb Porter saw some positive trends his team can take back into league play. "Possession doesnt win you games," Porter said. "Shots dont win you games. But if you look at those trends and the stats of how were playing in the flow of the game, theres not major issues. Theres not major things to be alarmed with." Salt Lake finally got another goal from Plata in the 78th minute. Saborio flicked the ball up to Plata outside the top of the box and the reserve forward sent it right back down the middle. RSL has scored 13 goals in four Open Cup matches, the best rate of any team in the tournament. Portland cut the lead in half in the 90th minute. Rimando blocked a shot from Diego Valeri and Valeri collected it on the rebound. He headed the ball back over Rimandos head to bring the Timbers within striking distance. It was too little too late for Portland, which saw its franchise-best run in the U.S. Open Cup end. Now the attention for the Timbers shifts to qualifying for the MLS playoffs. "Were disappointed, but at the end of the day we still have everything to play for in the league," Porter said. "This loss doesnt change that."Arik Armstead Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Trent Dilfer Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.custom49ersjersey.com/custom-larry-allen-jersey-large-1288d.html . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. John Henry Johnson Jersey . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Arnaz Battle Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Tago Smith, who replaced Keenan Reynolds as Navys starting quarterback, will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.Smith tore his right ACL in Navys 52-16 victory over Fordham on Saturday.The injury occurred on the third play of the second quarter during a 22-yard run by Smith. He finished the game with 97 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 10 carries and completed his only pass for 45 yards.Smith, a senior, was elevated to the starting poosition after Reynolds enjoyed a record-setting run during his four years at the school.ddddddddddddSenior Will Worth now takes over at quarterback for Navy. Sophomore Zach Abey is the backup and freshman Malcolm Perry is third on the depth chart.Worth rushed for 22 yards against Fordham and completed all three of his passes for 78 yards. ' ' '