VANCOUVER, B.C. – Camilo Sanvezzo scored two penalties and Nizar Khalfan added his own strike as the Vancouver Whitecaps claimed their first victory at BC Place on Thursday in front of 20,113 fans, defeating a 10-man Real Salt Lake 3-0.
The result puts a dent in RSL’s hunt to secure one of the Western Conference playoff positions and extends the club’s losing streak to four games.
The ‘Caps earned their first penalty in the 43rd minute, as RSL midfielder Collen Warner stopped a sure goal from Whitecaps skipper Jay DeMerit. DeMerit's header was going straight into the net when it ricocheted off Warner and onto the post, but referee Chris Penso deemed Warner used his hand to push the ball away from danger.
Warner was sent off for the action and Camilo stepped up to the spot. The Brazilian made the most of the opportunity, sending Nick Rimando the wrong way to put the ‘Caps up 1-0 in the 44th minute.
Fortune, it seems, wasn’t on Real’s side, as the ball was once again handled by a Salt Lake player on the other side of the half. Chris Schuler didn’t have time to react in the 52nd minute after the ball ricocheted of a teammate, and, unfortunately for the defender, the ref again signalled for a penalty.
Unsatisfied with a team-tying 10th goal after his first converted penalty, Camilo stepped up and scored his 11th with a shot past Rimando to leapfrog Eric Hassli and into the team lead for goals.
Khalfan poured salt in the wounds for Real by scoring a long-range goal in the 88th minute. Rimando managed to get a hand on the shot, but Khalfan’s strike had too much sting and he could only direct the ball into the corner of his goal.
In a first half without much in the way of quality chances, it was the final play of the first 45 that granted Salt Lake their only real sniff of a chance, as Paulo Jr. found himself in alone on Joe Cannon in stoppage time. The big 'keeper, though, stood up well and stopped the Brazilian from close range.
Perhaps the worrying thing for Salt Lake is that it could have actually been more. Camilo got a good section of the support at BC Place on their feet as he took a 60th-minute free kick into the side netting.
Salt Lake had their best chance for a consolation goal in the 82nd minute, as substitute Cody Arnoux found Luis Gil in a good position. Gil managed to get off a shot, but blasted it right at Cannon, allowing the ‘keeper to gather the attempt.
Despite the win, the Whitecaps continue to sit at the bottom of the league table, but move to 25 points. They get their next taste of MLS action on Oct. 12 against D.C. United.
Salt Lake, for their part, take on the Rapids in Colorado on Oct. 14 at Dick’s Sporting Good Park. They continue to sit in third place in the Western Conference standings with 51 points in the final conference playoff spot.
Scoring Summary:
VAN -- Camilo 10 (penalty kick) 44
VAN -- Camilo 11 (penalty kick) 53
VAN -- Nizar Khalfan 1 (Omar Salgado 1, Joe Cannon 1) 88
Misconduct Summary:
VAN -- Jeb Brovsky (caution; Reckless Tackle) 34
RSL -- Jamison Olave (caution; Tactical Foul) 42
RSL -- Collen Warner (ejection; Denied Goal Scoring Opportunity (Handball)) 43
RSL -- Ned Grabavoy (caution; Tactical Foul) 51
RSL -- Javier Morales (caution; Reckless Foul) 64
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Chris Schuler (Robbie Russell 59), Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Collen Warner, Andy Williams, Ned Grabavoy (Chris Agorsor 79), Javier Morales, Paulo Araujo Jr. (Cody Arnoux 46), Luis Gil.
Substitutes Not Used: Rauwshan McKenzie, Blake Wagner, Tim Melia.
Vancouver Whitecaps -- Joe Cannon, Jeb Brovsky, Jay DeMerit, Carlyle Mitchell, Alain Rochat, Nizar Khalfan, Gershon Koffie, John Thorrington (Peter Vagenas 68), Jordan Harvey, Long Tan (Shea Salinas 84), Camilo (Omar Salgado 73).
Substitutes Not Used: Michael Boxall, Davide Chiumiento, Mustapha Jarju, Jay Nolly.
Referee: Chris Penso
Referee's Assistants: -Frank Anderson; Jeff Hosking
4th Official: Paul Ward
Attendance: 20,113
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Cloudy-and-52-degrees
