Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake soar by Vancouver for club-record finish

Alex Katranis pinged the match-winner off the Vancouver goalkeeper in the final 10 minutes, and Diego Luna also scored a goal as Real Salt Lake clinched a club record for points in a season with a 2-1

Alex Katranis pinged the match-winner off the Vancouver goalkeeper in the final 10 minutes, and Diego Luna also scored a goal as Real Salt Lake clinched a club record for points in a season with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in front of a sellout crowd of 20,359 fans on MLS Decision Day in Sandy, Utah.

Salt Lake out-shot Vancouver 8-5 through the first half, including the only five shots on target. But the Whitecaps had a chance at the go-ahead goal barely a minute into the second half with a controversial penalty kick

Following a lengthy review of a foul called in the box by RSL’s Nelson Palacio, Fabrice Picault's attempt from the spot was pushed wide to maintain the 0-0 scoreline.

Just one minute after being introduced as a sub, Ryan Gauld gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. The Scottish international was all alone in the box on a loose ball, and calmly put it away in the 58th minute to snap Salt Lake’s 239-minute shutout streak.

The goal made Gauld just the second player in Whitecaps FC history to record multiple seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.

Luna equalized for Salt Lake, converting Brian Ojeda’s setup into a right-footed shot inside the far post in the 73rd minute to pull even, 1-1.

Alex Katranis netted the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute with his final touch of the match, a sharp cross into the box that caromed off Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer.

Moments later, the former Greek youth international exited the pitch for Andrew Brody to a hero’s ovation — and for good reason.

The win clinched a club-record 59 points on the season for Real Salt Lake, a berth in CONCACAF Champions Cup next season, and a home seed in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.