SANDY, Utah (AP) — Alvaro Saborio and Joao Plata each scored in the second half to help Real Salt Lake overcome a slow start to earn a 2-1 victory over Chivas USA on Wednesday night.
Real Salt Lake (16-10-8) clinched a top-two seed heading into the MLS playoffs. RSL can clinch the top seed in the west if Chivas beats or draws Portland on Saturday.
Chivas (6-19-8) threatened a late rally after a goal from reserve forward Julio Morales in the 77th minute.
RSL got on board in the 49th minute when Saborio slotted a penalty kick inside the right post. Plata padded the lead 3 minutes later when he collected the ball outside the 18-yard box and fired the ball down the middle, burying a low shot inside the left post.