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United visit Real Salt Lake without Moreno

Apr 10, 2009 - 9:31 PM By Dan Pieringer Stats Writer

D.C. United (1-0-2) at Real Salt Lake (1-1-0), 6:00 p.m. EDT

SANDY, Utah (AP) -- Real Salt Lake looked sluggish in its season opener, leading to some concern about its offensive limitations. Thanks to Robbie Findley, the club put that issue to rest in its last match.

Real looks to build on an impressive performance in its home opener and continue its strong play in Utah against D.C. United when the clubs meet Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

After dropping its opener, 2-0, at Seattle in the Sounders' inaugural game, Real (1-1-0) rebounded with a 4-1 victory over Columbus on April 2. Findley scored three goals and Kyle Beckerman capped the scoring with a header off a corner kick in the 67th minute.

"We're just starting to see Real Salt Lake," coach Jason Kreis told the team's official web site.

Kreis' club tied for fifth among seven Western Conference teams with 40 goals last season, but Real isn't worried about its offense in 2009.

"A lot of people doubt that we can score," said forward Yura Movsisyan, who had an assist in last week's win. "This was a proof to them that we're for real. You guys have to stop doubting us. We can score. We can score from anywhere."

Findley, who had six goals and five assists in 29 games and 15 starts last season, recorded the first hat trick in the five-year history of the franchise. He left in the 70th minute to a standing ovation from the crowd of 11,806.

"When we've got our heads on right and do the things we need to do, we're going to create opportunities," the 23-year-old forward said. "And I was able to get on the end of a few."

It was Findley's first multi-goal game since he scored twice in his MLS debut on June 23, 2007, a 2-1 win over D.C.

United (1-0-2) has dropped its last three games in Utah by a combined 8-2, but they're playing for the first time at Rio Tinto Stadium, which opened late last season.

D.C. got its first win of the young season last Saturday night, overcoming its second-half woes to beat Houston, 1-0. United had blown a 2-0 lead late in their opener and a 1-0 advantage after intermission of their previous match - both resulted in draws.

"The last two games, we didn't play good, especially in the second half," said Luciano Emilio, who scored early in the second half for his second goal of the season. "The 1-0 lead in the start of the second half was very important for us for confidence. We knew that we could win in that time."

United held onto the lead despite losing Jaime Moreno - the all-time leading goal-scorer in MLS - to a red card for a midfield tackle in the 70th minute.

"It's good to be tested early and come out with three points," midfielder Ben Olsen said. "I think it shows that we've got some men out there, and we stepped up in a difficult situation against a good team."

Moreno will miss Saturday's game as part of his punishment.