This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Newcomer Arturo Alvarez scored an equalizer in his debut for Real Salt Lake, but the team could not hold off the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-1 loss in the preseason opener for both teams Tuesday afternoon at Casa Grande, Ariz.
Alvarez's strike came off a pass from midfielder Ned Grabavoy in the 49th minute, but Vancouver's Terry Dunfield scored the game-winner past third-string goalkeeper Tim Melia off a corner kick in the 57th minute.
The teams played three 45-minute periods, allowing almost everybody to enjoy substantial playing time.
Forward Alvaro Saborio did not play for RSL while he recovers from offseason knee surgery, however, while defender Chris Schuler, goalkeeper Kyle Reynish and midfielder Jarad vanSchaik also sat out with injuries.
The game concluded RSL's first preseason training camp in Arizona.
The team will return to Utah for the rest of the week before the second camp, and preseason games against the Seattle Sounders on Feb. 8 and Chivas USA on Feb. 15.