Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Real Salt Lake 0: Whitecaps end three-game skid | OneFootball

Cristian Techera scored a penalty and Anthony Blondell scored his first goal in MLS as the Vancouver Whitecaps snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

This match will be forever remembered for Techera’s antics as he got himself sent off for removing his shirt despite already being on a yellow card.

In the 15th minute, Blondell, making his first home start, got behind the Salt Lake defence on a long ball from Jordon Mutch and circled goalkeeper Nick Rimando. RSL defender Justen Glad came in and made a spectacular diving tackle before Blondell could get his shot off.

A short time later, RSL had a chance of their own. Corey Baird rattled the crossbar after cutting in from the right. Jefferson Savarino couldn’t get enough on the rebound and Whitecaps keeper Stefan Marinovic collected easily.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, Marinovic just tipped Joao Plata’s goal-bound shot over the bar to keep the match scoreless. A fantastic save from a half chance that Plata carved out for himself.

Just after the hour mark, Brek Shea defied the laws of physics and somehow hit all three posts.

Vancouver scored their first goal in 255 minutes to take a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute after Nick Besler took a heavy touch inside the box and took down Nicolás Mezquida. Cristian Techera stepped up and converted the penalty but took his shirt off already on a yellow card for one of the most bizarre sending offs you’ll ever see.

Despite being a man down, the Whitecaps remained unphased and doubled their advantage just four minutes later. Alphonso Davies outhustled Brooks Lennon to the ball at the halfway line, made a spectacular dashing run to the end line, and found Blondell all alone for an easy tap-in.

Real Salt Lake hardly threatened with the man advantage as they fell to 3-1-4 (10 points) on the season.

Vancouver improved to 4-1-4 (13 points) and temporarily sit in second place in the Western Conference, though they have as many as four games in hand on other teams.