In a match that was to be one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend, the new look Toronto FC were no match against Real Salt Lake as Alvaro Saborio netted two goals including a penalty kick to lead the home side to a 3-0 win and giving Toronto FC thier first loss of the 2014 campaign.
The first six minutes told the story early on as the match became quite physical with both sides pushing and shoving early on. However, it only took eleven minutes for things to go south for Toronto when Donell Henry wrestles Saborio in the penalty area to force a Penalty which was taken by Saborio to put RSL up 1-0 and left Toronto trailing for the first time this season. Toronto seemed to look hesitant and flat as RSL started to expose the flanks and giving toronto very few chances which included one in the 19th minute when Jermain Defoe threatened inside the box, but was easily snuffed out by keeper Nick Rimondo.
In the 27th minute RSL began to put things in cruise control when Luis Gil made it 2-0 with a nice shot past Julio Cesar. Toronto continued to appear lack luster despite a few set peice chance served up by Michael Bradley, but RSL continued to apply pressure and controlling the tempo most notably by Javier Morales who orchestrated the positive flow for much if not the whole match. Toronto started to lose composure as the yellow cards were handed out to Jermain Defoe at the 29th minute for a rough challenge to Kyle Beckerman, Donell Henry recieved a booking at the 30th minute, and Toronto captain Steven Caldwell recieved a yellow at the 34th minute for a studs up challenge to Ned Grabavoy. In the 37th minute, yet another yellow is issued, this time to RSL's Chris Schuler. Toronto creates a few more set piece chances near the end of the half but cannot net one but the closest chance came when Jermain Defoe manages to get in close but is easily scooped up by Rimondo. At the end of the first half, Real Salt Lake were in the drivers seat controlling possession 64% to Toronto's 36%.
In the second half Toronto Manager Ryan Nelson tried to tighten up the flanks that were torched by RSL in the first half. But the home side continued the pressure and Morales coninued to be the architect of the match. Toronto began to waken up a bit early as Michael Bradley shot from distance, but Rimando assumed the shot was wide and it hit the post. RSL once again added pressure and at the 57th minute it was Saborio again for his second goal of the match to increase the lead to 3-0 and give Toronto no chance to get back into the match. Toronto once again tried to create more chances most notably in the 77th minute when Justin Morrow drove a shot that nearly got pushed in by Rimondo.
Toronto now with a 2-1-0 record will travel to Columbus next week to face the Crew at Crew Stadium and the defending Western Conference Champion Real Salt Lake improve to 2-0-2 and will head to Kansas City to face defending MLS Cup Champions Sporting KC.