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VANCOUVER, Canada — Real Salt Lake came away from BC Place Saturday afternoon with one point off its 1-1 draw with Major League Soccer Western Conference opponent the Vancouver Whitecaps.
RSL newcomer and forward Olmes Garcia put the ball in the back of the net in the 66th minute after entering the match for the Salt Lake club in the 56th minute. Garcia celebrated his goal by pulling off his jersey, running to the camera and showing the shirt he had on underneath, which had a picture of a friend who died Dec. 1, 2012. The celebration earned him a yellow card in the 67th minute of play for excessive celebration.
Garcia's appearance Saturday was just his third for the RSL first-team this season. Garcia also has had numerous appearances with the RSL reserve team. His 34 minutes Saturday put him at 92 on the season for the Claret and Cobalt first-team.
Garcia was acquired by the Salt Lake club on Feb. 21, 2013, off a transfer with the Colombian club Deportes Quindio. Garcia was signed by Deportes Quindio just two years ago at the age of 18 and went on to score seven goals in just 47 appearances with the Colombian First Division club. RSL signed Garcia to a five-year deal with the Claret and Cobalt.
Garcia’s goal was assisted by RSL playmaker Javier Morales, who got his first start of the 2013 season Saturday after returning from injury.
Vancouver got its single goal off a controversial penalty kick awarded in the 84th minute off a handball in the box by RSL veteran defender Nat Borchers. A slick turf caused Borchers to slip and his arm caught the ball when he tried to catch himself from falling to the ground. Vancouver forward Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo sent the ball right past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando from the spot, equalizing the match.
The draw and one point put the Claret and Cobalt at eight points on the season and 2-3-2 overall thus far this season. With a single point also going to the Vancouver side, RSL, the Whitecaps and the San Jose Earthquakes all sit tied for fourth place in the Western Conference. With a draw or win over the Portland Timbers Sunday, the Earthquakes will claim that spot.
The Claret and Cobalt return home next weekend to begin a three-game home stint. Seven of its next 10 matches will be played within the walls of its fortress, Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL will begin the three-game home stint by hosting Chivas USA April 20, followed by the Los Angeles Galaxy April 27 and the Whitecaps May 4.
Kira Terry is a sports writer covering Real Salt Lake for KSL.com. Follow her on Twitter, @kiraterry.
