Real Salt Lake's first-half dominance — just like the headline says — made the difference against Portland Timbers, who, it must be said, were very poor in their role as visitors.

The second half? Let's not speak too deeply about it. I stayed awake, but only just.

Here's what we learned from the afternoon match.

First-half dominance

Take a look at the first chart here. I'll wait while you take a look.

A few key highlights for RSL:

• 3.55 xG

• A nearly entirely dominated field tilt until about the 55th minute

• 5 'great' shots, 3 'good', 2 'average', and '15' poor. (This is about shot selection and xG bucketing, not about situational play.)

Those 15 poor shots are super interesting to me. One of RSL's goals — Zavier Gozo's — was a poor shot, and that's because it was from outside the box. That's sort of the thing: shots outside the box tend to be poor, because they tend to be saved. But five great shots? That's amazing for this RSL team.

But in the second half, RSL was outshot and out-created — and that's counting a staggering five key passes from Diego Luna in the second half, equaling his first-half total.

Diego Luna, superstar?

It's clear by now that Diego Luna needs to be on the U.S. squad for the World Cup this summer. This was him proving it. He was at the center of everything did well in both halves, and his goal was a sublime creation between him and his left back.

Luna attempted more passes than any other player on the field save Noel Caliskan — 65 attempts, 90 percent accuracy, 10 key passes (as many as all of Portland). It was a performance to remember for Luna, who controlled the midfield and the attack. We've been privileged to watch him grow, and he's starting to wield full control now.

Is Gozo making his USMNT case?

This is a true long-shot, but we have to start wondering if Zavier Gozo, if he continues in this form for the next few weeks, might he be a dark horse candidate for one of the last World Cup roster spots? His ability to get up and down the pitch is unrivaled, he's got excellent awareness for good counterattacking opportunities, and he's cleaned up his defending a bit. I still think he's closer to a true winger than a wing back, even in the way RSL operates, but that new flexibility may boost his chances.

The chatter is getting louder. Are there legs on the rumor? Maybe. Do I know where "are there legs" came from? No, I do not.

A few more things

• Justen Glad is crucial, and that was illustrated once again when he went off. The dynamic of the match shifted considerably. It sounds like it was a minutes management thing, thankfully.

• Can you believe Cabral only made TWO saves to Pantemis' 13? (Ha.)