Real Salt Lake blanks defending Cup champion Columbus in first leg

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Andy Williams (right) will try to close out regurlar-season champ Columbus Nov. 5. AP

SANDY, Utah (AP) -- Robbie Findley scored in the 88th minute to give Real Salt Lake a 1-0 win over the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew on Saturday in the first leg of the two-game playoff series.

Yura Movsisyan corralled the ball following a throw-in and sent a cross toward the right post. Findley rushed to the ball, slid and threaded it perfectly between Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer and the post.

The Crew, a two-time Supporters' Shield winner, is the third straight opponent Salt Lake has held scoreless at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Real Salt Lake, which went 9-1-5 at home this season, shut out New York and Colorado to clinch a playoff spot for the second consecutive season.

The second leg will be in Columbus on Nov. 5.

Columbus ........0 0--0
Real Salt Lake......0 1--1

• First half: None.

• Second half: 1, Real Salt Lake, Findley 13 (Movsisyan), 88th minute.

• Goalies: Columbus, William Hesmer; Real Salt Lake, Nick Rimando.

• Yellow Cards: Carroll, Columbus, 19th; Beckerman, Real Salt Lake, 38th.

• Referee: Mark Geiger. Assistant Referees--Chris Strickland. Bill Dittmar. 4th Official--Ramon Hernandez.

• A: 11,499 (20,008)

Lineups

• Columbus: William Hesmer, Brian Carroll, Eddie Gaven, Chad Marshall, Gino Padula, Emilio Renteria (Jason Garey, 77th), Robbie Rogers (Emmanuel Ekpo, 85th), Eric Brunner, Steven Lenhart, Frankie Hejduk, Danny O'Rourke.

• Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Fabian Espindola (Yura Movsisyan, 65th), Jamison Olave, Javier Morales (Clint Mathis, 75th), Robbie Findley, Tony Beltran (Robbie Russell, 79th), Andy Williams, Will Johnson.

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