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Real Salt Lake runs into a juggernaut in Vancouver

First-place Whitecaps beat RSL 2-1

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Jayden Nelson, shown during a game at Portland on Feb. 23, scored on a solo run against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Real Salt Lake was unable to derail the Vancouver Whitecaps’ season of excellence on Saturday night.

The host Whitecaps (8-1-2) defeated RSL 2-1 at B.C. Place, maintaining their position atop the Major League Soccer standings.

Real Salt Lake (4-7-0) still has not won two straight games this season. RSL beat expansion team San Diego FC 3-1 last week.

Vancouver’s Jayden Nelson opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a fine solo run, getting past RSL‘s Justen Glad for a shot past goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.

The Whitecaps’ Tristan Blackmon made it 2-0 in the 70th minute with assists from Sebastian Berhalter and Pedro Vite.

RSL‘s Diego Luna scored on a penalty kick in the 96th minute to avert a shutout.

Vancouver had a 24-11 advantage on shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal.

RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral made seven saves, while Vancouver’s Yohei Takaoka stopped two shots.

Along with excelling in MLS play this season, Vancouver is set to visit Mexico’s Cruz Azul on June 1 for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Whitecaps booked their spot in that game with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the second leg of their semifinal matchup on Wednesday night, completing a 5-1 aggregate win.

Real Salt Lake is scheduled to return to action Saturday, May 10, at Dallas (6:30 p.m. MDT, Apple TV).

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