SANDY, UT – Vancouver Whitecaps FC won their second consecutive match on Saturday evening, defeating Real Salt Lake 2-1 behind second-half goals from David Milinković and Lucas Cavallini, and brilliant playmaking from Fredy Montero.
The road victory, only the second for Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium, gives the surging 'Caps 15 points in the season and lifts them over the playoff line in the Western Conference. Vancouver have now won three of their last four matches.
The visitors got the opening goal in the 53rd minute when Montero played a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Cristian Dájome, who passed it back in front of net for a streaking Milinković. The goal is the first in MLS for Milinković, who assisted in each of the previous two matches.
RSL went down a man after the hour mark when Kyle Beckerman was shown his second yellow card for a foul on Thomas Hasal, nicking the grounded keeper's head with his left foot.
The home side momentarily drew level in the 81st minute off a header from Justin Meram, setting up a thrilling finish to the match.
Just three minutes later, the 'Caps were off and running, sprung by a long ball from Michael Baldisimo. Montero attacked along the right side and left a well-placed feed for Cavallini, who slid in for his first MLS game-winner. Cavallini came off the bench for the first time after serving a suspension in the last outing.
Baldisimo now has three assists in his first five MLS matches. Montero finished with two assists on the evening, after tallying two goals and an assist last Wednesday versus Montreal Impact.
The 'Caps go for a third straight win on Wednesday, September 23 when they visit Los Angeles Football Club. Kickoff at Banc of California Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. PT, live on TSN1/4 and TSN Radio 1040.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC Man of the Match: Fredy Montero
Referee: Kevin Stott
Scoring Summary
53’ – VAN – David Milinković (Cristian Dájome, Fredy Montero)
81’ – RSL – Justin Meram (Maikel Chang)
84’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini (Fredy Montero, Michael Baldisimo)
Statistics
Possession: RSL 63.1% – VAN 36.9%
Shots: RSL 25 – VAN 8
Shots on Goal: RSL 4 – VAN 3
Saves: RSL 1 – VAN 3
Fouls: RSL 12 – VAN 9
Offsides: RSL 0 – VAN 2
Corners: RSL 10 – VAN 6
Cautions
8' – RSL – Kyle Beckerman
15’ – VAN – Janio Bikel
41’ – VAN – Ali Adnan
63’ – RSL – Kyle Beckerman
68’ – RSL – Donny Toia
90’+1' – VAN – Thomas Hasal
90'+2’ – RSL – Corey Baird
Ejection
63’ – RSL – Kyle Beckerman
Real Salt Lake
51.Andrew Putna; 22.Aaron Herrera, 30.Marcelo Silva, 14.Nedum Onuoha, 4.Donny Toia (10.Corey Baird 71'); 6.Pablo Ruiz, 5.Kyle Beckerman ©; 16.Maikel Chang (17.Christopher Garcia 90'+8'), 11.Albert Rusnák, 9.Justin Meram (28.Jeizon Ramírez 90'+1'); 8.Damir Kreilach
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 13.Nick Besler, 15.Justen Glad, 20.Erik Holt, 23.Milan Iloski, 25.Everton Luiz,
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
51.Thomas Hasal; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 13.Derek Cornelius, 3.Cristián Gutiérrez; 19.Janio Bikel (55.Michael Baldisimo 59'), 31.Russell Teibert © (17.Leonard Owusu 73'); 11.Cristian Dájome, 7.David Milinković (9.Lucas Cavallini 59'), 53.Ali Adnan; 12.Fredy Montero (15.Andy Rose 87')
Substitutes not used
1.Bryan Meredith, 14.Theo Bair, 22.Érik Godoy, 27.Ryan Raposo, 87.Tosaint Ricketts
