Real Salt Lake 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Josie Becker

Real Salt Lake finally got their first win of the season, finding the composure to fight through a snowstorm under newly minted head coach Mike Petke on their way to a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Slovakian attacking midfielder Albert Rusnak showed well for RSL, and was responsible for a goal and two assists on the night. Rusnak showed great hold up play in the snow to get the game's opening goal in the second half, long after the field had been blanketed by snow and the orange ball had come out. The Whitecaps didn't have an answer once RSL found their footing in the sloppy surface.

Goals

54' - RSL - Albert Rusnak Watch
74' - RSL - Yura Movsisyan Watch
78' - RSL - Luke Mulholland Watch

Three Things

A NIGHT OF FIRSTS -
The list of first accomplished tonight by RSL is a long one, starting with the first time RSL has ever used an orange ball in their history. It was in such conditions that Petke got his first win as RSL coach in his first game as RSL coach, the first RSL win of 2017, and Rusnak got his first goal as an RSL player. Not only was it the first win of the season, it was RSL's first win since August of last year.

Big night at Rio Tinto:

- Mike Petke victorious in debut
- @RealSaltLake's first win since Aug. 26, 2016
- Rusnák opens his #RSL account pic.twitter.com/8TQdYcPBES
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2017

RUSNAK STEPS IT UP - The 22-year-old has big expectations placed on him taking over the No. 10 shirt of Javier Morales, and tonight was a good taste of why the RSL brass believe in Rusnak. He'd played every available minute in RSL's first four matches of the year managing only one assist, but really turned a corner tonight getting involved on every RSL goal.

DANILO SNEAKY GOOD - Defensive contributions can go overlooked in a match like this, but Danilo Acosta's performance earned him some fans. The Homegrown Player made his MLS debut tonight, and he locked down the right flank with 12 interceptions, blocks, and recoveries. He also was able to get forward and contribute, registering one key pass.