March 23, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to their first defeat of the season, dropping a 2-1 result to Real Salt Lake at BC Place on Saturday.
The match started off slow, with both teams taking some time to settle into the match. The ‘Caps had the first big look of the game through Ryan Raposo in the 26th minute, after he cut inside from the left and unleashed a venomous curved shot just wide of the mark.
Alessandro Schöpf would be the next player to test his luck, getting on the end of a cross from Ryan Gauld but slicing his header wide as well.
In the end, it was the ex-RSL player Damir Kreilach who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Gauld’s inside pass to Brian White let the American striker feed Kreilach in behind. Kreilach then made no mistake one-on-one with Zac MacMath and slotted home his first MLS goal for the ‘Caps.
Real Salt Lake tried to equalize a few minutes later through Chicho Arango, with his direct free-kick from just outside the box going over Yohei Takaoka’s net. Despite RSL knocking at their door for the rest of the half, the Blue and White were able to hold on until half-time.
Real Salt Lake came out strong for the second half, continuing their pressure to get that equalizer. Fidel Barajas came inches from making good on that pressure, with his shot from distance being palmed onto the post by Takaoka.
Barajas would strike the woodwork again not minutes later, this time volleying his effort onto the crossbar.
Substitute Ali Ahmed came ever so close to doubling the ‘Caps lead, latching onto a fantastic overhead pass by Pedro Vite, flicking it past an onrushing MacMath in the midfield, but he was unable to shoot the ball before it got intercepted.
Anderson Julio found the equalizer for the visitors in the 70th minute, as Barajas slipped a pass in behind the ‘Caps defence for Julio to knock past his marker and smash it near post.
The ‘Caps kept fighting to regain the lead, creating some good chances through Ahmed and Gauld, but were unable to find the go-ahead goal.
Instead it was Real Salt Lake who got the advantage in the 76th minute, as Alexandros Katranis’ shot from distance found the back post to make it 2-1.
The ‘Caps kept chasing for the equalizer, but were unable to clinch the tying goal before the referee blew for the final whistle.
Whitecaps FC continue their four-game homestand at BC Place next Saturday, March 23 against Portland Timbers in their…
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