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RSL takes win over Union and fourth spot in West

Sep 4, 2011 - 3:23 AM Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake took its opportunity to advance in the Western Conference standings, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Salt Lake's second-straight win puts them fourth place in the West, accumulating 42 points to move ahead of the Colorado Rapids.

Set pieces proved to be pivotal for Real Salt Lake, as Kyle Beckerman and Chris Schuler each converted scoring chances resulting from corner kicks. Sebastien Le Toux recorded the lone goal for the Union.

Beckerman provided the opening goal in stunning fashion. After collecting a short corner in the 18th minute, the Real Salt Lake midfielder ripped a blistering shot to Faryd Mondragon's far post to give his side the lead.

Schuler was able to double that lead in the 26th minute when his towering header from a corner kick trickled under a diving Mondragon.

Just four minutes later, Le Toux cut the deficit in half with his first goal from open play this season.

Union midfielder Justin Mapp drove a cross-field pass into the box where Le Toux connected with a one-time effort. Nick Rimando got a hand to the shot, but could not keep it out of the net.

An added blemish on the Union's night came at the start of the second half when Zac MacMath entered the game for Mondragon, who sustained an injury to his hand.

Philadelphia has now lost two straight matches and is winless in its last six. It remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 34 points from 25 games.

The Union (8-7-10) will return home to PPL Park to host the New England Revolution on Wednesday, while Real Salt Lake (12-7-6) will face a tough test in a Western Conference showdown at Seattle Sounders FC on September 10.