Real Salt Lake 4 Galaxy 1

Two to tango: The Galaxy’s Chris Birchall and Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales tangle during Saturday’s game at Rio Tinto Stadium (Photo by Djamila Grossman, Salt Lake Tribune)

Reporter Michael C. Lewis of our sister paper the Salt Lake Tribune has the game story.

RSL may well be patting themselves on their collective back after that display, but let’s be honest – the Galaxy imploded in the first half and the game was all but over at halftime, something no doubt appreciated by those watching the 10:30 p.m. delayed start on TV who got to shuffle off to bed early.

Again, there was yet another will-sapping early goal that came even earlier than the one in the third minute against the New England Revolution Sunday (this one came at the 1:16 mark) caused by players standing around and ball-watching after giving the ball away in midfield. The second was attributed to a stupid, unnecessary and blatant push by goalkeeper Josh Saunders to set up a penalty kick. And just like that that the hosts were up 2-0 within 10 minutes.

Add the excellent Javier Morales third just before halftime that came after the playmaker bolted past a stationery David Beckham (named captain for the day in the absence of Landon Donovan) from a throw in and Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena could only shake his head on the sidelines.

Nothing like providing one of your biggest rivals with a huge morale-boosting victory early in the season.

Oh, and it was Brazilian Paulo Jr., – who had tried out with the Galaxy – who scored the first and drew the PK for the second.

Quotable:

“I know it’s early in the season,” said goalscorer Juan Pablo Angel. “But we’ve got to get it right and make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Think you can stomach watching the debacle?

Go for it:

Next for the Galaxy: Verses former striker Carlos Ruiz (who scored today) and the Philadelphia Union Saturday at Home Depot Center.