Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Real Salt Lake 1: MLS Match Recap

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A late penalty converted by Vancouver Whitecaps forward Camilo canceled out a sensational Olmes García goal for Real Salt Lake to ensure a 1-1 draw at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.

The equalizer came in the 84th minute, as the Brazilian sent RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando the wrong way from the spot, hitting the ball into the bottom left of the goal. The play which led to the penalty was a tad unfortunate for Salt Lake, who saw defender Nat Borchers slip and handle a ball in the box.

That goal canceled out García’s opener, which came in the 65th minute, as he curled an effort into the top right corner of Joe Cannon’s goal from outside the area.

On the last meaningful play of the game, Borchers nearly atoned for his hand ball, heading a ball toward the top left of Cannon’s goal, only for the goalkeeper to react well to preserve the draw.

In the 75th minute, Darren Mattocks flicked a ball from a Russell Teibert cross into the path of Alain Rochat, but the Swiss-Canadian’s volley could only find the side netting.

There were other chances, too – in the 55th minute, Nick Rimando punched out a corner to the edge of the area, only to see the ball flying back at him from a Nigel Reo-Coker attempt, and once again the goalkeeper reacted well to parry away.

In a first half in which the visitors dominated possession with 59 percent of the ball, it was the home side which had the better of the opportunities, but Rimando stood in the way of the Whitecaps.

Camilo, in particular, looked dangerous throughout, starting with a chance in the 10th minute from a corner. The Brazilian headed the ball toward goal before following up with a shot which Rimando saved well. Then, Camilo again followed up with the rebound only to sky high.

Eight minutes later the 24-year-old was once again involved, curling a powerful free kick toward the top right corner, only for Rimando to once again deny him.

Rimando was called once again to save from a Camilo chance in the 25th minute, as the forward struck a shot from outside the area only to see the goalkeeper tip it out for a corner kick.

RSL’s only quality chance of the opening period came in the 35th minute, as Javier Morales slid Joao Plata through for the Ecuadorian to finish – but the assistant referee’s flag went up and the play was called offside.

The visitors had to overcome a first-half injury to Kyle Beckerman who was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury at the half-hour mark.

The end of the half saw a bit of controversy, as Lee Young-Pyo went down in the area after appearing to get clipped by RSL's Ned Grabavoy. Referee Drew Fischer didn't bite with replays appearing to show minimal contact.

Both teams are back in action on April 20, with the Whitecaps (now 2-2-2) playing away to FC Dallas and Salt Lake (2-3-2) hosting Chivas USA.

MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match