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Real Salt Lake won't overlook expansion Impact

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:22 PM Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake stunned the Portland Timbers over the weekend, but midfielder Kyle Beckerman was already focused on the squad's next game Wednesday night against the Montreal Impact.

"We will take some confidence boosts from this, and, of course, winning a game gives it to you," Beckerman said after he scored in stoppage time of a 3-2 win at Portland on Saturday.

"But we have to turn around and get ready for the game on Wednesday because it doesn't stop. You have to take it one game at a time."

Real (3-1-0) has been impressive this season, with the exception of a shocking home loss to Chivas USA. "It was silly that we lost that game," RSL boss Jason Kreis said over the weekend.

With three wins from four matches, including two on the road, Kreis' club sits atop the Western Conference standings on nine points along with the Colorado Rapids and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Despite the impressive win at Portland, which was only possible because Jonny Steele scored in the 89th and Beckerman followed 3 minutes into stoppage time, Real's last home game was the loss to Chivas.

When Montreal visits Rio Tinto Stadium, Real will want to display good form in Utah. Kreis was able to start Nat Borchers, Javier Morales and Alvaro Saborio against Portland, the first start of the season for each.

With the club regaining full health, Kreis has no shortage of options and Real will be a tough opponent this week for the expansion Impact.

Real has also beaten Red Bull New York and the Los Angeles Galaxy this season, and Montreal (0-3-1) has just a single point from its first four MLS matches.

Montreal earned its lone point at home against the Chicago Fire with a 1-1 tie but has lost at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Columbus Crew and New York.

The Impact played well in the first half against New York over the weekend, as Sanny Nyassi and Justin Mapp scored in the first half to give Montreal a pair of leads.

But Thierry Henry responded with a hat trick and an assist, as New York pulled away for a 5-2 win at Red Bull Arena. If Anything, Montreal can take positives from the first half against New York.

"I think we should be happy with our first half performance," Montreal captain Davy Arnaud said. "To get two goals and be up twice is positive.

"We got rattled a little bit with the penalty kick and we didn't respond well in the second half."

"I thought we played some of our best soccer of the season in the first half," Impact midfielder Justin Mapp added.

Coach Jesse Marsch acknowledged that one half was not good enough, though, and that his side to be able to put in a complete performance. Otherwise, RSL will punish his side, just like New York did.

"We all have to stay focused on how to move ourselves along. It's a moment of big frustration because we felt we played a good first half, but one half does not get you results," said Marsch.

"We were a different team during the second half. They have good players and if you give them too much space, they will punish you.

"No excuses, we just weren't good enough in the second half. There is still a long way to go and now a quick turnaround for our next game Wednesday."