Sandy, UT – Alvaro Saborio helped Real Salt Lake snap its four-game winless streak in a big way on Saturday as the striker netted three goals in the span of 15 minutes in the second half of a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers.
Salt Lake entered the match at Rio Tinto Stadium having claimed just one point from its last four games, and with just about an hour gone in the match, was locked in a 0-0 stalemate.
But Saborio stepped forward to put RSL in front in the 60th minute, and he added another goal two minutes later before converting from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time.
Each side had a half chance in the opening 45 minutes, but the match didn't come to life until after 60 minutes had been played.
Kyle Beckerman chipped a ball into the penalty area and Saborio climbed above his defender to turn a header inside the right post.
It was a welcome goal and helped to open up the match as Salt Lake quickly added another a few minutes later.
This time it was Chris Wingert that played provider and he drove a well- weighted ball into the area from the left, which Saborio placed beyond goalkeeper Troy Perkins with a diving header.
Saborio was in search of a hat trick when he headed a corner kick on target that was blocked on the goal line by the arm of Diego Chara, earning the Portland man a red card and allowing Saborio to net his third goal from the penalty spot by sending Perkins the wrong way.
The result continues a poor run of form away from home for the Timbers, who have claimed just two points from eight road contests this season.
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