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Beckerman scores twice as Real Salt Lake romps

Apr 13, 2008 - 5:06 AM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Kyle Beckerman scored two goals to power Real Salt Lake to a 4-0 rout over D.C. United on Saturday night.

Robbie Findley had a goal and an assist and Fabian Espindola also scored to help Real Salt Lake (1-1-1) post its first victory of the season.

Dema Kovalenko added two assists and goalkeeper Nick Rimando registered his 44th career shutout for Real Salt Lake, which posted the largest margin of victory in franchise history in dropping D.C. United to 1-2-0.

"I would never have predicted a 4-0 scoreline against D.C. United," Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. "We were fortunate with some of our goals."

It was the first two goals of the season for Beckerman, putting him one shy of his total for 2007.

Beckerman got RSL off to a fast start, notching his first tally in the 12th minute.

"We were bound to erupt eventually. And it came tonight," Beckerman said. "We've been trying to send the message all season. We're a new Real Salt Lake."

Kovalenko one-touched a pass to a streaking Beckerman, who was unmarked in the midfield, leaving him one-on-one with goalkeeper Jose Carvallo. Beckerman calmly send a left-footed shot on the ground inside near post and past Carvallo.

"We've been lacking (in finishing) over the first two games," Beckerman said. "We haven't been putting em' out."

Real Salt Lake doubled the lead in the 19th minute on a beautiful goal by Espindola.

Although he clearly marked well by United's Gonzalo Peralata, Espindola chest-trapped a long ball from Kovalenko and, after a bounce, volleyed a left-footed shot off the left hand of Carvallo.

Beckerman's second goal put the game out of reach. After a string of passes, Nat Borchers centers a ball to Findley, who left it for a charging Beckerman, who blasted a one-timer from 20 yards into the far right corner past a helpless Carvallo in the 81st minute.

"He's a typical box-to-box midfielder," Kreis said of Beckerman. "He's a guy that has the fitness, the ability and the talent to play over the entire field.

"That second goal was picture perfect from what we want (from Beckerman)."

Findley closed out the scoring with a header in the 90 minute.

"It was a very disappointing performance and we know that each of us should take responsibility for this game," United captain Jaime Moreno said.