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Harjeet Johal ,

July 14, 2016 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - A mid-week fixture featuring the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Salt Lake was on the docket at BC Place on Wednesday evening. The Caps were looking to get back in the win column and Jeff Cassar's side were hoping to continue their high scoring prevalence on the road. Vancouver shut the door and came up with a 2-0 win in front of 22,120 supporters. A first half Justen Glad own goal, and golazo from Cristian Techera helped Vancouver improve to an overall record of 8-8-4. Carl Robinson was delighted with the outcome and the way his team played from start to finish. "It’s the performance that pleases me. Second half especially. We took our chances in the first half. Obviously it was an own goal. We challenged them in the second half to show resolve and don’t be soft." Whitecaps striker Masato Kudo made his return to the Vancouver Whitecaps lineup for the first time since suffering a fractured jaw against the Chicago Fire on May 11. Kudo was happy to get back on the pitch and wanted to thank the fans for supporting him. "I'm very glad that I was able to go back in the game. I was very thankful for all the support I received and I was able to play comfortably." David Ousted earned his 4th clean sheet of the season with four saves on the night and commented on the excellent defensive shape from the Whitecaps back-line. "I thought we did well as a back four, but even more as a team. I thought we got back to what we do well and that’s having everybody work hard and do their defensive duties. I think we did well defending crosses. Yura (Movsisyan) is a big guy in there and he’s good at coming in and finding pockets in there. But we did what we were supposed to do today to make sure he didn’t score." The Opening 45

David Ousted was excellent in net and came up with a fantastic save in the 14' minute. Jordan Allen played a cross into the box and Olmes Garcia got his head to the ball. The ball found its way to Real Salt Lake leading goal-scorer Yura Movsisyan in front of goal. Ousted dove across his net to deny the former Spartak Moscow striker. The match needed a goal to awaken both teams and that's exactly what happened in the 32' minute after some great built up from Christian Bolanos and Matias Laba. The Costa Rican international found a streaking Laba, who sent a cross into the Real Salt Lake box. Masato Kudo and Cristian Techera both went sliding into the net looking to get a touch on the cross. In the midst of the scramble the ball went off Tony Beltran and centre-back Justen Glad for an own goal. Moments later Vancouver struck again with a possible MLS goal of the week candidate. Bolanos found Uruguayan winger Cristian Techera and 'The Bug' let go a brilliant cracker from distance to give the home-side a 2-0 lead in the 37' minute. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeff Attinella had no chance on the golazo as it was a top corner screamer from 30 yards out. Heading into the interval, the Whitecaps remained ahead 2-0 thanks to a pair of quick goals. Real Salt Lake would look to re-group as they were second best in the first half and in need of a pep talk. Vancouver held a 60% - 40% possession advantage. Oustanding half for Bolanos. Involved in both goals. Working hard defensively. Best player on the park IMO. #VWFC #VANvRSL — Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) July 14, 2016 Other than 3 pts, best part of this match was the return of @masatokudo9. Welcome back, Masato! #WhitecapsFC #VWFC — Vancouver Armada (@VancouverArmada) July 14, 2016

The Second Half

Vancouver was happy to kill the clock and play keep-away as they looked to nurse home a 2-0 lead. Real Salt Lake had trouble claiming the ball off a Whitecaps side that maintained possession and controlled the midfield. In an effort to get his team going offensively, Real Salt Lake Coach Jeff Cassar made a double substitution in the 65' minute. Javier Morales, and Juan Maunel Martinez entered the match for Jordan Allen and Luke Mulholland. Carl Robinson and the Whitecaps countered by bringing on Canadian international, Marcel De Jong for his Whitecaps debut in the 66' minute. The Whitecaps were able to close out the match and keep Real Salt Lake off the score sheet. A renewed commitment to defense carried Vancouver to all three-points. Real Salt Lake had few chances to convert. A sound defense first tactical plan was just what Vancouver needed. Carl Robinson and his squad will look to keep rolling on Saturday when a banged up Orlando City Soccer Club visit BC Place. Man of the Match WHAT. A. GOAL. #VANvRSL https://t.co/ZtipY5zYaR — Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 14, 2016

Cristian Techera

A visit from Cristian Techera's family has helped 'The Bug' find his offensive form that he showed last season. Techera fired a rocket past Jeff Attinella and showed a flare and confidence Whitecaps supporters have not seen from him this season. Techera's creativity and size can be a huge asset for the Whitecaps going forward if he can maintain his consistency. Finding his scoring touch will no doubt earn him more playing time and opportunity to showcase the talent fans saw from him last season. Carl Robinson was happy to see Techera show his capabilities after battling a hidden injury. "The bug that we saw last year is still here. He has been carrying a little injury in the last four, five, six weeks. That’s why he hasn't played or started in many games. But I haven’t shouted it from the rooftops because no one needed to know. When you are carrying a little injury, you don’t play with as much confidence as you possibly can. In the last two games I think he has shown great character by scoring the penalty in the weekend. And today I thought he was excellent for the 60 minutes. So hopefully he’s getting back to where he was last year." Who was your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted(C); Jordan Smith, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Andrew Jacobson, Matias Laba; Christian Bolaños, Nicolas Mezquida, 76 (Pedro Morales), Cristian Techera, 66 (Marcel De Jong); Masto Kudo, 71 (Masato Kudo). 4-2-3-1. Real Salt Lake Starting XI: Jeff Attinella; Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund(C), Justin Glad, Chris Wingert, 86 (Boyd Okwuonu); Luke Mulholland, 65 (Javier Morales), John Stertzer, Omar Holness; Olmes Garcia, Yura Movsisyan, Jordan Allen, 65 (Juan Manuel Martinez). 4-3-3 Notes: U.S. international, Jermaine Jones was a late scratch with a lowering leg injury. The 2016 Rio Olympic Canadian Women's National Soccer Team was on hand and honoured at halftime.