Real Salt Lake downs Red Bulls 2-0

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Fabian Espindola and Luis Gil scored to lift Real Salt Lake to a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the home opener for RSL on Saturday.

Salt Lake (2-0) came into the game banged up, with veteran starters Will Johnson and Nat Borchers both sidelined.

Johnson had a strained groin and Borchers a strained quadriceps. Injuries also caused two other regular starters, Javier Morales and Alvaro Sabario, to only play as second-half substitutions.

Being short-handed did not limit RSL’s ability to dominate both ends of the field. New York (0-2) struggled to get on track offensively and defensively and Salt Lake took advantage in a hurry.

Fabian Espindola got Salt Lake on the board in the 39th minute after Paulo Jr. found him all alone on a breakaway. Espindola launched the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Meara as he came out to challenge.

Salt Lake tacked on a second goal in the 58th minute after Gil punched in the ball after gathering it in inside the goalmouth.