Real Salt Lake defeated FC Dallas 3-2 in a three-goal second-half thriller at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. RSL came back from a two-game losing skid with goals from Albert Rusnak and Jonathan Mendez in the second half to win all three points, ending a two-game losing streak and moving up to sixth in the Western Conference rankings. After joining the team during the summer transfer window from Club Atlético Independiente in Argentina, Menendez scored his first MLS goal, while Rusnak added his sixth of the season.

Jesus Ferreira, a 20-year-old FC Dallas winger, scored a late goal after dribbling past the whole RSL defense and hitting the roof of the net in a remarkable solo effort. It was too little, too late, despite his late heroics. FCD was missing its top scorer, Ricardo Pepi, who was called up to the US men's national team. Before coming to the World Cup Qualifiers, Pepi has 11 goals and two assists in 21 games.

FC Dallas took the lead through Franco Jara and appeared to be in command of the first half before RSL defender Justen Glad equalized shortly before halftime. Glad was sent a beautiful cross into the box by defender Aaron Herrera, who smashed it in at the far post with his forehead.

Shortly after the second half began, RSL increased their advantage, with Menendez scoring after pouncing on a stray ball in the box. Rusnak's third goal, and the game-winner, came in the 72nd minute when he made it 3-1. The ball bounced off the Brazilian goalkeeper's hands and into the net after the Slovakian midfielder shot from above the box and Phelipe couldn't control it.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Abram Iman]