The quality wasn’t there. You need someone to step up in that game. Everyone can't be average, someone has to step up and take that game by the scruff and make a play. We had a few opportunities and didn’t do it. – Jeff Cassar

SANDY — Real Salt Lake’s first-half script was a familiar one Saturday night — dominate possession early yet concede the first goal again. Unfortunately for RSL, the customary second-half script didn’t follow suit.

RSL has been the best team in MLS this season at digging itself out of holes, but it couldn’t overcome another moment of sloppiness at Rio Tinto Stadium in a stunning 1-0 loss to last-place Houston.

It was the first home loss of the season for Real Salt Lake, while just the second away victory for the Dynamo.

“It was a strange night and I think we were off our rhythm just a little bit, but that’s no excuse, we’re professionals, especially at home we have to find a way,” said Tony Beltran.

A terrible giveaway led to Houston’s only goal in the 36th minute, the fourth straight game RSL has conceded the opening goal in the first half. RSL fought back to earn points in its two prior home games when going down, but not against the resilient Dynamo.

RSL only had one shot on goal — which came in the 90th minute — and was shut out at home for the first time this season.

Despite the lack of shots, there were certainly a couple of quality chances, but Jamison Olave and Juan Manuel Martinez each missed a clear-cut header in the match.

“The quality wasn’t there. You need someone to step up in that game. Everyone can't be average, someone has to step up and take that game by the scruff and make a play. We had a few opportunities and didn’t do it,” said coach Jeff Cassar.

RSL didn’t lose any ground in the Western Conference standings as it remained in fourth place despite the loss, but it could’ve vaulted back into a second-place tie with Colorado and Los Angeles. Now suddenly a top-four seed for the playoffs doesn’t seem so certain.

“It’s a huge missed opportunity. All these home games going into playoffs that’s where we really want to pick up points and cement our spot,” said Jordan Allen, who entered the game early in the second half as a substitute.

The costly giveaway came in the 36th minute when Olave played a somewhat risky ball to John Stertzer despite two Houston players in close proximity about 35 yards from RSL’s own goal. Stertzer’s mistake was not recognizing the danger sooner, as Houston midfielder Ricardo Clark tapped the ball away from him and into the path of Alex who took two touches toward goal unmarked and then slipped a shot past Nick Rimando for the 1-0 lead.

“When you’re receiving the ball in those areas on the field, you have to anticipate that you’re going to get pressure,” said Cassar, who reiterated he has trust in Stertzer to deal with those situations. He didn’t in that moment, however, or the moment 20 seconds earlier when Houston stole the ball from him in a similar situation but squandered the chance.

Four minutes before conceding to the Dynamo, RSL nearly grabbed the lead as Olave elevated to a Luke Mulholland free kick, but his header sailed over the crossbar.

Cassar tried injecting more spark into the stagnant attack early in the second half by inserting Jordan Allen into the match for Stertzer in the 51st minute. In the 69th minute, Olmes Garcia entered for Mulholland.

Houston dealt well with whatever RSL threw forward.

“They were really disciplined in keeping their two blocks of four with one guy in between them, and they just made it difficult to break down. Any time you give away the first goal and you find yourself chasing the game it’s going to be difficult,” said Allen.

Houston had two terrific chances to double its lead in the second half, but Cristian Maidana’s shot hit the post in the 49th minute and then Rimando made a point-blank save on a 1v1 chance by Houston substitute Will Bruin in the 85th minute.

Real Salt Lake will have a week to regroup for next Saturday’s match against league-leading FC Dallas.

James Edward is the Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer. EMAIL: jedward@deseretnews.com