VANCOUVER – Cristian Techera scored on a stunning strike three minutes after a Real Salt Lake own goal in the first half Wednesday as the Vancouver Whitecaps picked up a 2-0 victory.
The win was Vancouver’s first at B.C. Place Stadium in Major League Soccer since May 11 and snapped an ugly 1-3-2 run overall.
The Whitecaps (8-8-4) also kept a clean sheet for the first time in MLS since April 23, a stretch of 11 matches.
After a sleepy opening half hour that could have easily seen the visitors nudge in front, Vancouver grabbed the lead in the 34th minute. Matias Laba fired a low and dangerous cross into the Real penalty area that Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran could only clear off fellow defender Justen Glad and into his own net.
Techera then put his stamp on the game with his second goal of the season in the 37th, taking a pass from Christian Bolanos and lashing a shot with his left boot from 35 yards out that flew into the top corner past a helpless Jeff Attinella.
Techera was mobbed by teammates by the corner flag after the eye-popping effort, while Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson raised both arms in celebration at the bench.
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The feeling could have been much different for the hosts had Salt Lake (8-6-5) connected on one of its two early chances.
Yura Movsisyn saw a header from in tight stopped by a diving David Ousted in the 15th minute before an unmarked Omar Holness put a shot over the bar from just beyond the Whitecaps’ penalty spot in the 22nd.
Vancouver — which entered play having allowed two goals or more in six of its last seven league matches and 33 total in just 19 games this season — blew a late lead in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids, but this one was never in doubt after halftime.
Techera tried another shot from distance in the 53rd after the ball fell to him off a free kick, however he was unable to find the range a second time.
Whitecaps defender/midfielder and Canadian international Marcel de Jong, who signed an 18-month contract with Vancouver on Monday, subbed on for Techera in the 66th minute to a nice round of applause.
Whitecaps striker Masato Kudo started in his first appearance since suffering a broken jaw on May 11, and had a good chance in the 69th minute, but saw his shot stopped by Attinella.
Kudo was subbed off two minutes later in favour of Erik Hurtado.
Real had a late surge, including Movsisyn rattling the Vancouver bar in injury time, as the Whitecaps switched off late in what was otherwise a convincing performance.
Notes: De Jong picked up a yellow card in the 89th minute. … David Edgar, another Canadian international who also inked an 18-month contract with Vancouver this week, was also in attendance, but the defender did not dress. … The Whitecaps hosts Orlando City SC on Saturday before welcoming English Premier League side Crystal Palace for a friendly on Tuesday.
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