RSL had the exact kind of start that they did not want to have. Even though they came out applying pressure, having numbers forward hurt them when about six minutes in Boateng got goal side of Olave and beat Rimando to put the Galaxy up. Real had trouble creating chances for most of the rest of the half after the Galaxy decided to sit back. Wingert had a header that just went wide around the 41st minute but RSL headed to the half needing to regroup.
A hustle play from Joao Plata about ten minutes into the second half earned RSL a penalty chance with the keeper taking him down when fighting for possession of a loose ball.