By CALEB SONNELAND
In another week of unlikely goal-scorers, centerback Patrick Ianni and midfielder Lamar Neagle got on the scoresheet for the Seattle Sounders to deal Real Salt Lake a 2-1 defeat, its first home loss in league play since May 16, 2009 -- a span of 29 matches.
RSL midfielder Nelson Gonzalez pulled one back for the hosts late in the game, but RSL couldn't earn the point as the Sounders marched out of Rio Tinto as victors.
The most notable changes for the visiting side were the omission of DP Fredy Montero and the return of midfielder Brad Evans. Montero was left out of the lineup after having started the last six games in a row for Seattle with Nate Jaqua taking his place, while Evans fought back from injury to force his way back into the starting XI in lieu of Mauro Rosales.
For RSL, Fabian Espindola took charge up top as the lone striker in place of Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez from last week's draw against FC Dallas. Chris Wingert also made way for Robbie Russell on the back line as Nick Rimando and his defense looked to keep a clean sheet for the fourth straight game.
However, there was little to celebrate throughout the first half as both sides looked to find a foothold in a match with few opportunities.
Nate Jaqua found himself a few chances in the air, while Grabavoy and Alexandre registered good efforts towards Kasey Keller's goal between good spells of play from RSL.
One of the more crucial moments in the half was the early loss of Seattle's Alvaro Fernandez to a hamstring injury in the 18th minute which saw Neagle come in as a replacement.
Injuries have plagued the Sounders thus far in the season, and the injury to the Sounders' DP will do Sigi Schmid no favors in fielding his strongest 11 players.
With no clear goal-scoring opportunities for either side going into the break, it was up to managers Schmid and Kreis to introduce a killer instinct in both teams as play resumed in the second half.
It didn't take long for Salt Lake pressure to pose a threat on the Seattle goal as a poor Friberg defensive header set up Espindola for a good chance to break the deadlock, but his shot couldn't find its way past Keller in the 49th minute.
Only a moment later, RSL defender Jamison Olave had a header tipped onto the crossbar, and it looked like the home side were on the brink of opening the scoring.
The momentum in the match made a huge swing in the 57th minute, however, when Olave was sent off with a straight red after bringing down Mike Fucito on the edge of the area.
Smelling blood, the Sounders then began to try and push for a historic result at Rio Tinto and snap Real Salt Lake's winning streak at home.
The moment came when Jaqua rose highest to a corner and nodded it into the path of Montero who nudged the ball to Seattle center back Ianni to prod home for a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute.
Up a man and a goal, Seattle looked to try and close out the game, but about six minutes from time, Neagle played a good one-two pass on the sideline before teeing up a shot to put under Rimando's crossbar and double the Sounders' lead. The goal was the first of the 24-year-old's MLS career.
Gonzalez pulled one back for the home side only three minutes later in the 87th to provide some hope for Real Salt Lake as he skipped past Ianni to blast the ball past Keller.
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