USL Feature
Monday, November 25, 2013
Real Salt Lake returned to MLS Cup for the first time since 2009 on Sunday night as Robbie Findley scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field. The win gave RSL a 5-2 aggregate victory in the Western Conference Championship, with the former Boulder Rapids Reserves forward scoring in both legs to lead his side into the December 7 final.
Findley, who had 15 goals in 17 games in two seasons in the PDL, capitalized on a rebound given up by Donovan Ricketts off a shot by Luis Gil in the 29th minute to score the only goal of the game. Despite the three-goal advantage with an hour to play, however, RSL’s players knew they couldn’t let their foot off the gas.
“It wasn't even over after that,” Findley told MLSsoccer.com’s Scott Pierce. “They still came at us and we had to weather the storm.”
That storm was weathered thanks in part to the efforts of former Chicago Fire U-23 center back Chris Schuler and Findley’s former Boulder teammate Nat Borchers, who stymied Portland’s attack the remainder of the way. Portland was held to only two shots on goal, with six of its 18 efforts being blocked, as RSL held firm to move on.
RSL, which claimed its first championship four years ago in a penalty shootout against the LA Galaxy, will take on Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park on December 7 (ESPN, 4 p.m. ET) for a chance at its second crown.