Vancouver Whitecaps lose to Real Salt Lake in MLS action

Vancouver Whitecaps FC lost 2-1 to Major League Soccer Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake in the first of four straight home games.

After a fairly uneventful 30 minutes, the Whitecaps started to show some positive attacking play, this finally paid off in minute ’33, with Brian White playing the ball through the middle, for Damir Kreilach to beat the offside trap to get his first goal for the ‘Caps.

RSL picked up their play a little after conceding, but have been unable to find the target all game.

Final play of first half saw Ryan Gauld unable to head the ball past Zac MacMath, score remained 1-0 to the Whitecaps.

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Second-half, RSL picked up the pace, Takaoki needed to make a fingertip save to push the ball onto the post. A few minutes later hitting the crossbar.

Minute 56’ Brian White had to leave the field with a suspected concussion, replaced by Ali Ahmed.

Minute 70, 17 year-old Fidel Barajas, making his debut for RSL, feeds the ball through for Anderson Julio to put the ball pass Yohei Takaoka. Game level 1-1 with 20 minutes still to play.

Real Salt Lake continued to dominate the game, it was obvious they were looking to go home with all three points in the bag, and in minute 76, Barajas secured another assist, when he played the ball back to an unmarked Alexandro Katranis on the edge of the box. Katranis sights firmly set on the top-right corner of the net, floats a ball over the heads of everyone for an amazing goal.

Vancouver Whitecaps, mostly with their heads down, never looked to place RSL under any pressure for the last 15. Game finished 1-2, RSL taking all three points.

Vancouver Whitecaps next face Portland Timbers on March 30^th, Kick-off 7:30pm PST.

Real Salt Lake at home to St. Louis on March 30^th, kick-off 6:30pm MDT.