Javier Morales scored a hat-trick as Real Salt Lake continued their unbeaten start to the MLS season by claiming a 5-2 victory over Houston Dynamo at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
Morales gave the visitors the lead just 15 seconds into the match when he curled a long-range effort over Tally Hall and into the far corner.
Real scored their second goal in the 17th minute after Morales turned the ball in from close range following a set piece.
The home side pulled a goal back five minutes later through Mark Sherrod, who volleyed in from Brad Davis's delivery.
Houston's hopes of drawing level suffered a blow soon after when Servando Carrasco was shown a straight red card for a foul on Morales.
The visitors took advantage almost immediately as Alvaro Saborio headed in their third of the match from Luke Mulholland's cross.
Houston were given the chance to pull another goal back before half time, but Giles Barnes saw his penalty saved by Nick Rimando.
After the break the hosts did manage to score their second of the evening when Sherrod drilled a low shot past Rimando.
In the 78th minute Real restored their two-goal advantage through Mulholland, who slid home after latching onto Morales's through ball.
With a minute of the match left to play, Hall gave away a penalty for bringing down Devon Sandoval inside the box.
Morales stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat-trick and seal a comfortable victory for his side.
Alex Meyers
