By JOSE M. ROMERO
Parking and seats on the SkyTrain were probably more difficult to come by than Vancouver Whitecaps' goals Thursday night in downtown Vancouver.
With the NHL Canucks playing nearby in their regular-season opener, the Whitecaps still drew a big crowd of 20,113 fans to their brand new home, B.C. Place Stadium, and rewarded the faitfhful with a 3-0 win over struggling Real Salt Lake.
Camilo converted two penalty kicks and Nizar Khalfan added the finishing touch as Vancouver snapped a four-match winless streak and won for the first time in two games at B.C. Place. RSL (15-11-6) dropped its fourth straight match with two remaining in the regular season.
The match was a makeup game after heavy rain at Empire Field, the Whitecaps' temporary home earlier this season, rendered the pitch unplayable. It could hardly have gone better for Vancouver.
The Whitecaps' margin of victory was the club's largest of the season. They struck first after a red card to RSL's Collen Warner in the 43rd minute, who was carded for a handball in the box after Camilo's service for Jay DeMerit came down for a header on goal by DeMerit. The ball appeared to hit Warner in the shoulder, a replay showed, but the card came out and Vancouver was awarded a PK.
Camilo converted easily.
In the 52nd minute, the ball hit RSL defender Chris Schuler in the arm — referee Chris Penso ruled — on a botched clearance from the box, and another PK was given. Camilo's shot glanced off goalkeeper Nick Rimando's hand and into the net to make it 2-0.
The goal was the Brazilian's 11th of the season, tops on the Whitecaps. Vancouver was without suspended striker Eric Hassli.
Camilo's free kick in the 60th minute hit the side of the net.
With Real Salt Lake hardly threatening, Khalfan scored off a header from late substitute Omar Salgado in the 88th minute.