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Despite missing a key player to injury, the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 to run their unbeaten streak to six matches.

Jayden Nelson and Tristan Blackmon provided the goals for Vancouver (8-1-2, 26 points). Salt Lake (4-7-0, 12 points) has lost three of its last four matches. Its goal came on penalty kick by Diego Luna.

Vancouver opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

Nelson broke free of one of Vancouver’s many counterattacks, evaded numerous Salt Lake defenders, and found himself with a somewhat open look on goal 12 yards from goal. Nelson stabbed his shot just past the outstretched arms of RSL keeper Rafael Cabral.

The Whitecaps doubled their lead in the 70th minute through defender Blackmon.

Sebastian Berhalter found himself open on the right wing, and his out-swinging effort found Blackmon in the center of the box. With just one touch and a fraction of a second, Blackmon fired his shot into the top right corner of the box for his second goal of the season.

Salt Lake earned a late penalty when Berhalter brought down Justen Glad off a free kick. Attacker Luna chipped his penalty down the middle to give Salt Lake its only goal of the game. It came six minutes into second-half stoppage time.

Salt Lake was denied on a controversial penalty decision eight minutes into second-half stoppage time. Attacker Zavier Gozo attempted to dribble into Vancouver’s congested penalty box but was tripped up and brought down in the box. However, an extensive VAR check ruled there was no tripping offense during the play.

Vancouver was active in every area of the game. The Whitecaps pressed and defended aggressively, held possession 56 percent to 44 percent, and created most of the game’s chances. They played without attacker Brian White due to a hamstring injury. White leads the team with six goals.

Vancouver was awarded a penalty in the 66th minute after Cabral dived into Edier Ocampo’s feet in the penalty box. However, Cabral made the stop on Daniel Rios’ rocket shot. Cabral had five saves in the 2-0 loss.

After Cabral dived into Edier Ocampo’s feet in the penalty box, Vancouver was awarded a penalty midway through the second half. However, Daniel Rios’ rocketed effort was impressively stopped by Cabral. Cabral finished with seven saves.

Vancouver came close to its third goal through Pedro Vite, but his curling, outside-the-box effort flew just wide of the crossbar in the 73rd minute.

–Field Level Media