MLS

• RSL tops Fire in PKs to advance to MLS Cup Championship

  
  

  Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire couldn't decide Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference Championship in 120 scoreless minutes of regulation and extra time soccer on Saturday night at Toyota Park.

  So with his team's offense nonexistent throughout the game, RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando came up with three huge saves in the penalty kick shootout to help the Salt Lake City club advance to the MLS Cup Championship, 5-4 on PKs.

  As a result, for the second straight year the last seed in the playoffs advances to the MLS Cup. New York, which was switched over to the Western bracket, topped RSL at Rio Tinto last season. This time RSL was switched to the Eastern bracket and will represent the East in the championship match.

  The two teams each scored on their first two tries in the shootout before RSL's Javier Morales missed high to give Chicago a chance.

  But John Thorrington's chance was saved by Rimando two rounds later, and the team's were forced to go to a sudden death shootout after they were tied at four through five rounds.

  Rimando came up with another big save in the sixth round, but Fabian Espindola missed high to forced a seventh round. Rimando, once again saved the chance before Ned Grabavoy buried his chance of Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch's fingertips to advance, 5-4.

  RSL will square off against the Los Angeles Galaxy, who beat Houston 2-0 in overtime on Friday, in the MLS Cup Championship on Sunday at Qwest Field in Seattle.

  11/14 23:33:38 ET