Crew SC started as well as they could have hoped and grabbed an early lead. Connor Maloney, making his first MLS start, sent in a cross that forced a scrambled clearance from the Real Salt Lake rearguard. The ball fell to Maloney again and he calmly picked out Kamara. The Norwegian clinically finished the play to give Crew SC the lead in the 15th minute.
Real Salt Lake was on the front foot for most of the rest of the half. The home side had 70% possession as halftime approached. Salt Lake wasn’t able to really test the steadfast Crew SC defense until the 45th minute.