Things started badly for visiting Real Salt Lake Wednesday night in BBVA Compass Stadium and only got worse, as the visitors were pummeled by host Houston Dynamo 5-1, who, with the victory, took over first place in the Western Conference and remained unbeaten at home in 2017.
An own goal in the third minute by RSL's Justin Schmidt put the away side in an early hole and a surgical goal by Alex in the 15th minute doubled the lead for the home side. Mauro Manotas scored on the stroke of halftime to make it 3-0 and Erick "Cubo'' Torres' tap-in in the 53rd minute made it 4-0 before RSL got on the board courtesy of a free kick strike by Joao Plata in the 62nd.