Espindola scores in 4th minute, Real Salt Lake holds on for 1-0 win over Red Bulls

Espindola scores as Real Salt Lake beats Red Bulls

SANDY, Utah — Fabian Espindola scored in the 4th minute and Real Salt Lake held off the New York Red Bulls 1-0 Saturday night, stretching their home unbeaten streak to a Major League Soccer record-tying 22.

The defending MLS Cup champions improved to tied the record set by the Columbus Crew last year. Real Salt Lake (12-4-7) moved one point behind league-leaders Los Angeles and Columbus.

The Red Bulls (11-7-5) lost for just the second time in their last seven games.

Espindola stole the show early by taking a pass from Kyle Beckerman and poking it past charging Red Bulls goalkeeper Greg Sutton for his sixth goal of the season.

Sutton was making just his second start of the season in place of regular goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, who was among four Red Bulls starters — including marquee midfielder Rafael Marquez — who missed the game while playing for their national teams.

Salt Lake also had two starters away on international duty.