Real Salt Lake maintained their unbeaten start to the MLS season as they recorded a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
The home side pressed from the start and Chris Wingert tested the handling ability of Clinton Irwin with a long-range shot which the keeper was forced to parry away.
Salt Lake took the lead in the 23rd minute when Javier Morales found Plata in space down the left and the forward drove into the box before slotting the ball past Irwin into the net.
The Rapids tried to respond immediately and they went close through Edson Buddle, but he failed to hit the target as he rose highest to head a corner at goal.
Colorado came within inches of finding an equaliser as Buddle again met a free kick from Jose Mari, but his header clipped the outside of the post and went wide.
After the break, Real were handed the chance to double their lead when Drew Moor brought down Devon Sandoval in the area and a penalty was awarded. Morales took the spot kick and fired it past Irwin into the top corner.
The Rapids upped the ante to get back into the game and nearly did in spectacular fashion as Dillon Serna did well to beat two men down the right and cut back onto his left foot to strike at goal, but Jeff Attinella was on hand to make the save.
Colorado gave themselves a glimmer of hope seven minutes from time when Moor guided a header past Attinella from Serna's free kick. However, they couldn't find a second goal as Salt Lake held out for the three points.
Simon Sinclair
