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Match Thread: Vancouver Whitecaps v. Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake takes on Vancouver Whitecaps, with Javier Morales getting his first start since returning from an offseason surgery and Lovel Palmer stepping in for Abdoulie Mansally.

USA TODAY Sports

Pre-match Reading

RSL Soapbox: RSL looking to capitalize on defensive uncertainty

RSL Soapbox: Four questions with Eighty Six Forever

RSL Soapbox: Saborio, Plata best options for starts

RSL Soapbox: When Last They Met: RSL 0 - 0 Vancouver

Starting Lineup

Rimando, Palmer, Schuler, Borchers, Beltran, Beckerman, Gil, Morales, Grabavoy, Plata, Saborio.

Perhaps surprisingly, Lovel Palmer starts over Abdoulie Mansally, and Javier Morales starts for his first time in 2013.

Stats and Notes

Javier Morales gets his first start since 2012 after undergoing a successful meniscectomy during preseason. In 2012, he started 17 consecutive matches — the entirety of the second half of the regular season, barring the final match — after an injury-spotted start to his campaign. He signed a new deal during the offseason, agreeing to return to Real Salt Lake.

This marks the first time in 2013 that the ostensible first-choice midfield has been together; only Findley and Wingert remain to complete what was expected to be the first-choice XI this season. Whether that is or remains the case remains to be seen.