Real Salt Lake 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Albert Rusnak struck from the penalty spot midway through the first half to help lead Real Salt Lake to a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday afternoon. 

Rusnak’s goal, his second of the season, came after referee Drew Fischer ruled Jake Nerwinski tripped Corey Baird in the box. However, replays seem to indicate Baird, the 2018 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year, was already going down before contact was made.

It was the second consecutive week an infraction by Nerwinski led to a penalty kick. In a season-opening 3-2 loss to Minnesota United, he hammered Francisco Calvo in the box leading to Darwin Quintero’s equalizer.

Rusnak thought he had a second goal in the 64th minute, but the offside flag was raised.

Goals

• 21’ — RSL — Albert Rusnak (PK) | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The ‘Caps looked better, especially defensively, than against the Loons so Marc Dos Santos will be encouraged, but they’re without a point after two matches. RSL, meanwhile, have four points from two matches and continue to make RioT a fortress.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Was it or wasn’t it a penalty kick? Surely that will depend on who you support, but after slow-motion replays, it appeared a dubious decision against a hard-done Nerwinski.

MAN OF THE MATCH: In his first match at Rio Tinto Stadium, Everton Ruiz was a rock in defensive midfield for Real Salt Lake, breaking up attacking moments for the Whitecaps and was the most fouled player in the match, along with Yordy Reyna of the 'Caps.

Next Up

• RSL: Saturday, March 16 at D.C. United (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada)
• VAN: Saturday, March 16 at Houston Dynamo (3 pm ET | TSN1, CTV, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)