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RSL ends in 1-1 draw in Vancouver after first Garcia goal, bunk Borchers handball

USA TODAY Sports

Colombian striker Olmes Garcia's first goal and a spotty refereeing decision allowing the Whitecaps a penalty saw Real Salt Lake and Vancouver end in a 1-1 draw.

Real Salt Lake's exciting young Colombian striker Olmes Garcia scored his first MLS goal, a curling effort from just outside the box that ended in the top right corner of the net.

Nat Borchers was whistled for a handball in the box after slipping on the rather miserable turf; Camilo put the penalty cheekily to the center, leaving the diving Nick Rimando with no chance to make yet another save.

Garcia's goal came only 10 minutes after he entered the match for Joao Plata. A distracting left-sided run from Javier Morales opened space for Garcia, and a simple pass into space gave him good space for a shot. There was plenty of work to be done yet, and his finish was a difficult one, sailing into the upper 90.

Garcia received a yellow card after removing his shirt after goal, but his excitement at the goal - and the excitement of his teammates - was palpable. According to Real Salt Lake on Twitter, Garcia's shirt pictured his friend Alejandra, who died in December.

Kyle Beckerman came out 30 minutes into the first half for Yordany Alvarez after having suffered a dislocated rib in training on Friday.

Chris Schuler received the first yellow of the match in the 18th minute, taking down Corey Hertzog just outside the box; Camilo's subsequent free kick forced a leaping save from Nick Rimando.

Rimando certainly dominated first-half highlights, making save after save to keep RSL in the match.

RSL's best opportunity was scuppered by a just offside flag after Javier Morales fed the very diminutive Joao Plata, who had moved just too early.

Saborio had the first good opportunity for Jason Kreis's side after Joao Plata kept defenders busy on the left side of the box.

Olmes Garcia entered the match in the 55th minute for Joao Plata, and he had his first good opportunity in the 61st minute after Javier Morales's ball-retention abilities nearly paid dividends.

There was no sense of a deliberate handball when Borchers, but the referee's decision didn't seem to take that into account.