Real Salt Lake depended on some late heroics from Nick Besler to beat sixth-division Japanese side Iwaki FC, 2-1, as they opened the Pacific Rim Cup with their first preseason match.
The 17th minute saw the first real drama of the match, with Iwaki FC producing several good opportunities on goal. None came to fruition, despite plenty of flapping around from Real Salt Lake.
Midway through the first half, Sebastian Saucedo opened the scoring for RSL with a simple finish that required plenty of skill in the build-up. He took down a cross with one foot, beat a player with a neat dribble, then nutmegged the goalkeeper before a simple finish.