MLS wrap: Salt Lake tame Rapids, stay undefeated

Real Salt Lake kept up their perfect MLS record with a last-gasp 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday.

The first Rocky Mountain Cup clash of the season went down to the wire before Fabian Espindola nabbed a winner in stoppage time for Real, holders of the only perfect record in the league.

The Argentinean striker, who had earlier had a goal ruled out for offside, was on hand to knock home a rebound from Javier Morales’ free kick in the 93rd minute.

Morales’ set piece had ricocheted off the upright and fallen to Paulo Araujo Jr, who nudged the ball forward to Espindola in a goalmouth scramble.

The win preserves Real’s four-match winning streak and gives the hosts an early edge over the reigning MLS champions in their season series.

Real remain top of the Western Conference table with 12 points, three clear of second-placed Colorado.

Elsewhere, David Beckham’s first trip to BMO Field failed to live up to its hype as the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC fought out a goalless draw.

The English superstar did manage to strike the right post with a curling free kick in the 70th minute, one of Los Angeles’ better chances for the night, but also picked up his fifth yellow card in six games to edge closer to a one-match suspension.

Brazilian midfielder Juninho will miss the Galaxy’s trip to Chicago on Sunday after being sent off with a second caution in the third and final minute of stoppage time.

Wednesday’s match was the third straight time Toronto and Los Angeles have fought out scoreless stalemates. Beckham was absent from both of last year’s meetings with an Achilles injury.

Though he failed to trouble the scorers Beckham did have an impact at the gate – Toronto announced their first sell-out of the season as fans packed in to witness football royalty.