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Vancouver Whitecaps shut out Real Salt Lake in season opener

A goal off a deflection in the 57th minute sinks RSL.

Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, shown in a 2023 photo, earned the shutout as the host Whitecaps beat Real Salt Lake on Saturday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

The host Vancouver Whitecaps beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday in a Major League Soccer opener.

Vancouver newcomer Aziel Jackson, known as AZ, scored off a deflected pass in the 57th minute to lift the Whitecaps to the win. Tate Johnson’s cross from the left side deflected off defender DeAndre Yedlin to Jackson for a volley from the center of the area.

The Whitecaps acquired Jackson in the offseason on loan from Polish club Jagiellonia Białystok.

Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka had two saves to earn the shutout. RSL’s Rafael Cabral had four saves.

German veteran Thomas Müller, who joined Vancouver last season, hit the right post with a shot from outside the area in the 16th minute.

Real Salt Lake’s Ariath Piol put the ball in the net in the 38th minute but RSL was ruled offsides.

Vancouver had a big advantage in possession in the game (58.2 minutes to 41.8) and a 13-10 edge on shots.

The Whitecaps lost in last season’s MLS Cup to Inter Miami.

Real Salt Lake’s home opener is next Saturday against the Seattle Sounders (5:30 p.m., Apple TV).

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