In the last half of the game between Real Salt Lake and Vancouver, things got a little chippy. Vancouver had 4 yellow cards handed out in the span of 3 minutes. Overall, Vancouver had 5 yellow cards, and RSL had 3. 

Real Salt Lake had the majority of the possession in the first half. They had a bevy shots, but none found the back of the net. Vancouver had two chances on goal in the first half, but couldn't convert either of them.

In the second half, Real Salt Lake started things out with a bang. Immediately in the 47th minute they pressured Vancouver's goal, but once again they could not convert. Vancouver's only shot on target came from a questionable penalty conceded by Nat Borchers. On the replay, Nat wins the ball and not the person. Vancouver's Darren Mattocks converted the penalty and that is when things got really chippy. Players on both teams ended up getting into a little fight, which ended up with players getting yellow carded. Real Salt Lake's Tony Beltran got a yellow card for his actions. For Vancouver, Sebastian Fernandez, Matias Laba, and David Ousted all ended up getting yellow cards.

Vancouver's goal inspired RSL to score. Just a few minutes later, from on-top passing from his teammates, Joao Plata scored. Jeff Cassar said after the game, “It was a great ball from [Kyle Beckerman] – a fantastic ball, hit [Plata] in stride. Joao [Plata] took a nice cut inside and had a great finish. That’s what we needed: a great pass that leads right into a nice shot. I thought our passing was just a little bit off tonight. That final ball was just a little off. At the end of the day, no teams gain ground and no teams lose ground. We gain a point, a couple of teams lost tonight and Dallas won. We picked up a point.” 

Below are some thoughts by the Real Salt Lake team on the penalty call.

Jeff Cassar: “I can’t remember the whole play completely, but I think we gave the ball away cheaply, but I think he did a great job. It’s not even close on replay. It’s just not close. In fact, I think it’s fantastic defending from Nat [Borchers]. He won the ball completely – it’s not even close.”

Chris Wingert: “It looked clean to me, but I was behind the play. I saw the ball squirt out to the right. Looked like a great play by [Nat] Borchers.”

Nat Borchers: “I didn’t think it was a penalty obviously. I think that in that situation, the referee needs to be a hundred percent sure if they’re going to make that call. I felt like I got the ball first, and unfortunately he didn’t think that way.”

Real Salt Lake are tied for second in the Western Conference with Dallas on 29 points. Both teams trail the red-hot Seattle Sounders by nine points. RSL will face Montreal at home on Thursday, July 24 in their next game.

Vancouver are currently tied for fourth place in the Western Conference. Los Angeles, Colorado, and Vancouver all sit on 27 points. However, if they season ended today, the Whitecaps would be on the outside looking in due to their inferior goal difference. LA is plus ten, Colorado is plus four, and Vancouver is at plus 2. The Whitecaps get a bit of break until their next game. They play Dallas at home on Sunday, July 27.

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About the author
Stockton Mair
I have been RSLTID (Real Salt Lake Til I Die) ever since I knew about their existence. I follow their every move, and soccer is my life. I am super glad to be writing for VAVEL USA!