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Early Sandoval goal leads RSL past Whitecaps

DevonSandovalGoalCelebrationRSL1-Whitecaps (CanadianPress)

By TYLER GRAY

Fielding a decidedly reserve side did not stop Real Salt Lake from snatching all three points on the road.

With an eye towards the U.S. Open Cup final on Tuesday, RSL head coach Jason Kreis gave his regulars a rest and let the backups off their leash. Forward Devon Sandoval’s early strike was enough as RSL held on to a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at BC Place.

In the ninth minute, RSL right back Lovel Palmer received the ball out wide and sent it to the top of the six-yard box, just out of the reach of Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. Sandoval rose up and snapped his header down and into the net to put RSL up 1-0 early.

It was all action from that point on as each squad was looking to attack. Time after time, the Whitecaps would throw players forward on the counterattack but RSL’s defense stood strong and, for the first time in a long time, looked unshaken.

Perhaps the Whitecaps’ best opportunity came in the 61st minute when it seemed like the ball fell to four different Whitecaps players. Russell Teibert got the final shot and RSL defender Abdoulie Mansally came up with a huge save. RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella contributed with a clutch save in the 36th minute as well with Teibert again providing the danger.

RSL seemed energized all night and pestered Ousted’s goal consistently, forcing the Vancouver keeper into four saves. It was the type of performance that could give Real Salt Lake some much-needed confidence heading into the final stretch of the season after dropping two matches in a row.

With the victory, RSL still has a puncher’s chance at the Supporter’s Shield now thanks to the effort of its youngsters, who stood strong all match long.

Now the Utah side will turn all of its attention to Tuesday night, looking to secure a trophy and a berth in the CONCACAF Champion’s League, when they welcome in DC United for the U.S. Open Cup final.

Comments

  1. caps midfield didn’t stand up to a better system by rsl, even with second players RSL looked more confident and played easier,the caps forwards were static and unimaginative and the midfield overran,its too bad that the promising young forwards have not improved and in some cases have gone backwards,the coach ???

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  2. Good game by the youngsters. This was a B team unfazed by the Whitecaps A team.

    Good to see Chris Schuler back but MoM has to be Luis Gil. He showed what he could do in Javi’s spot and he really controlled things for RSL. He’s either going to be really good for RSL, a european team or perhaps he follows Jason Kriess to NYCFC, if Kriess does take that job.

    Gil, Tiebert and Olmes Garcia are going to have their chances for bigger clubs and leagues. While I’d say Manneh and Plata are in that second tier of youngsters with loads of potential.

    Next for RSL is DC for the Open Cup title.

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