Real Salt Lake Beats Vancouver As Playoff Race Intensifies

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake pulled off a second-half comeback to beat the Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-1, and move above them in the Western Conference.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Brayan Vera and Justen Glad both scored goals in the second half to take a lead that the club wouldn’t lose.

¡Victoria crucial! pic.twitter.com/onnOt2jkhV

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

RSL and Vancouver last matched up in February. Real Salt Lake pulled out a 2-1 win at BC Place in Vancouver, British Colombia.

RELATED: Real Salt Lake Stuns Vancouver In MLS Opening Week

🇨🇴🇨🇷🇵🇾🇨🇺🇪🇨🇬🇹 pic.twitter.com/jV4Kh5UIys

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps

First Half

Brayan Vera took the first shot of the game for RSL but had it blocked.

After forcing a turnover, Chicho Arango and Diego Luna ran on the break in the 12th minute.

They pushed forward into the box and nearly got a shot off before a Vancouver defender sent the ball back towards midfield.

On the other end, Vancouver earned a corner kick. Midfielder Ryan Gauld put the ball in the middle of the box where Brian White was able to jump up and score with a header.

Brian White gets 🆙 from the corner kick to head #VWFC in front on the road early.

Watch live NOW for free on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/mCr6jOvmWS pic.twitter.com/bOBxvXT4wx

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023

Multiple RSL players showed clear discontentment after conceding the first score.

Jasper Löeffelsend went down in the 25th minute after rolling his ankle. After he was helped off the pitch, Real Salt Lake had to play with 10 men for a few minutes before making a substitution for Braian Ojeda.

31′ | Jasper forzado a salir

0-1 | @SJ_Utah pic.twitter.com/hRptvUxps2

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

Things started to heat up for the home club as halftime approached.

Vera attempted a shot from a very long distance to try and catch the goalkeeper sleeping but he was able to get back to it.

RSL took four more shots before the halftime break but none found the back of the net.

Real Salt Lake took 8 shot attempts (4 on goal) in the first half compared to three for Vancouver. Despite this, they trailed 1-0 after the first 45.

Otro medio tiempo por jugar#RSLvVAN | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/RP2lEBsTbM

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

Second Half

RSL’s luck changed after the break.

Vera was able to score his second goal of the season off a free kick in the 47th minute.

RELATED: Brayan Vera Evens Score For RSL Against Vancouver Whitecaps

Brayan Vera scores the free kick from distance.

All square at 1-1 to start the second half. #RSL pic.twitter.com/XNdAtGF1gz

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023

Danny Musovski, in his first game back after settling contract negotiation issues, attempted to extend RSL’s lead but had his attempt blocked.

Ojeda took a shot just after but it was saved.

In the 65th minute, Justen Glad was the recipient of a cross following a corner and he gave RSL a lead with the header.

The ball hit Glad in the face causing him to get a bloody nose.

RELATED: Justen Glad Gives Real Salt Lake Lead, Gets Bloody Nose In Return

A true captain’s goal. ©

Justen Glad wins the header to put #RSL in front. pic.twitter.com/IZaiWjeK8K

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023

Vancouver’s Junior Hoilett looked for an equalizer in the 72nd but missed high and wide.

Arango nearly extended RSL’s lead but his shot was saved at the top of the goal.

The Whitecaps picked up the aggressiveness and nearly scored on multiple looks. They had one shot that barely missed to the right and a second that was so close to crossing the line that it went to a VAR review.

Anderson Julio took a shot that was saved just before the conclusion of regulation.

Nine minutes of stoppage time was added.

9 minutos más pic.twitter.com/xnfneH4qbr

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

In the 99th minute, Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld took a shot on goal. The ball inadvertently hit Vera’s hand.

The officials went to another VAR review at the very end of the game causing suspense to build in America First Field.

The officials decided there was no penalty. Real Salt Lake picks up the big home win, 2-1, to move above Vancouver in the west standings.

internationaL phone biLL ’bout to be through the roof @WhitecapsFC pic.twitter.com/V7TxyT1ohp

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 24, 2023

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2023 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports. 

Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

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