Real Salt Lake Earns Three Points With Comeback Against Whitecaps

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake earned three points on the road after a second half comeback in the team’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

RSL beats Whitecaps

The Whitecaps hosted RSL at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Saturday, March 23.

Real Salt Lake defeated the Whitecaps, 2-1.

Following the win, RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni told KSL Sports that he believes the victory is one that his team could look back on as a turning point in their season.

A victory as sweet as maple syrup#VANvRSL | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/xsMDdy8fbG

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 24, 2024

Former RSL star Damir Kreilach put his old team into a hole in the first half with a goal in the 33rd minute. Kreilach’s shot gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead. It was the former Real Salt Lake standout’s first MLS goal as a member of the Whitecaps.

Dami with a goal vs. his old club 💥@WhitecapsFC take a 1-0 lead over @realsaltlake in the 33rd minute.#RSLonKSL #RSL #VANvRSL @rslshow pic.twitter.com/al7VB37C9N

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 24, 2024

Vancouver took the 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After the break, it was all Real Salt Lake.

In the 70th minute, Anderson Julio leveled the match for RSL with his second goal of the season.

JULI⚽️ 🔥@realsaltlake levels the match at 1-1 in the 70th minute.#RSLonKSL #RSL #VANvRSL @rslshowpic.twitter.com/ItH90jJgRO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 24, 2024

A few short minutes later, Real Salt Lake took its first lead of the night thanks to a goal from Alexandros Katranis, his first with the club.

Saturday’s match was Katranis’ first start of the season.

Alexandros Katranis gives @realsaltlake a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute. 🤯#RSLonKSL #RSL #VANvRSL @rslshow pic.twitter.com/4YHH7vTItb

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 24, 2024

Vancouver pressed in the closing minutes of the contest. However, RSL managed to hold the home side scoreless.

RSL finished the contest having controlled possession for 54.1 percent of the night. The visiting side also had 15 more shots than Vancouver, including two more shots on goal.

Up next for Real Salt Lake

With the win, RSL improved to a 2-1-2 record this season.

RSL’s next match is at home against St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), and KSLSports.com.

Real Salt Lake and St. Louis CITY SC played to a 1-1 draw on February 24 in Missouri.

Real Salt Lake this season

Real Salt Lake opened its 2024 schedule with a 2-0 loss to Inter Miami CF on February 21. The club followed up the season-opening loss by picking up a point in a 1-1 draw with St. Louis CITY SC only three days later.

Following the draw with St. Louis, Real Salt Lake beat LAFC at home, 3-0. Then, RSL fell at home to the Colorado Rapids, 2-1.

Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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