Morales, Espindola get Real Salt Lake past Timbers

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola both scored in the first half to lead Real Salt Lake to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.

Real Salt Lake (15-11-4) became the second club in MLS history to get at least 15 wins in three straight seasons and secured a spot in the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

Bright Dike scored in the 61st minute for the Timbers (7-15-8), who remained winless on the road.

Espindola put Salt Lake on the board in the 14th minute and Morales made it 2-0 in the 36th.

Salt Lake played without leading scorer Alvaro Saborio after he suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s 1-0 victory over Tauro FC in Panama on Tuesday. Saborio, second in MLS with 14 goals, is expected to be sidelined at least two to four weeks.