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Cooper goals lifts Portland past RSL

TimbersCelebrate (GettyImages) 

Real Salt Lake figured to have a little CONCACAF Champions League hangover heading into Saturday's match against Portland Timbers. Little did RSL know just what sort of headache the expansion side would be able to provide.

Riding a first-half goal from Kenny Cooper, the Timbers shut down a Real Salt Lake side that was missing several key starters in a 1-0 triumph at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday night.

Fresh from its disappointing Champions League Final loss to Monterrey, RSL rested several starters, including Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola, but still boasted Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Nat Borchers and Nick Rimando.

That collection of standouts still wasn't enough to stop a Portland side that improved to 3-0 at home with Saturday's victory.

Here are the highlights.

What did you think of Portland's win? Surprised that RSL dropped its first match, or think it was inevitable given the letdown?

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