MLS: Real Salt Lake 3 Seattle Sounders 0

Two goals from Alvaro Saborio steered Real Salt Lake to a 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of the Western Conference semi-final.

Saturday’s victory gives Real the upper hand as they prepare for Wednesday’s return leg at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

Costa Rican striker Saborio struck in the 41st and 53rd minutes of the playoff before midfielder Ned Grabavoy hit the third in the 88th minute, only his fourth goal for the club.

Seattle will need to regroup to have any hope in Wednesday’s decider after managing no shots on goal against a determined Real defence.

Sounders keeper Kasey Keller kept the series from getting out of hand with eight saves. Javier Morales created two of the goals for the home side.

Saborío’s first came from a fine move down the left by Morales and Chris Wingert.

The overlapping Wingert’s cross looked to be going in, but Saborio made sure, tapping it over the line.

RSL started the second half the same as the first – on attack.

In the 53rd minute, a Morales cross found Saborio, who backheeled past defender Jeff Parke to score.

Grabavoy added the third two minutes from time, blasting home a poor clearance.