Real Salt Lake have climbed to third in the Western Conference following a 2-0 win over Chivas USA at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Chivas created very little on a disappointing night for the visitors, but they could have been ahead early on had Erick Torres kept his composure after finding space inside the box.

Salt Lake took control of the contest midway through the first half, with Luke Mulholland and Kyle Beckerman both heading wide from good positions.

The breakthrough arrived before the break as Alvaro Saborio fired home from the penalty spot after he was brought down inside the box by Bobby Burling.

Chivas were dealt another blow before the hour mark when Marvin Chavez was shown a straight red card for foolishly kicking the ball at the assistant referee after a decision went against the visitors.

Saborio should have doubled his tally a few moments later, but he was unable to convert from close range following impressive work on the wing by Javier Morales.

Salt Lake eventually wrapped up the victory 16 minutes from time when Joao Plata played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Beckermann, who slotted past the helpless Dan Kennedy.