Pedro Morales scored twice as Vancouver Whitecaps beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 to boost the Canadian side's quest to reach the MLS playoffs.

Morales almost got the Whitecaps off to a perfect start when his shot flew just over the Real crossbar in the opening minutes.

Later in the first half, Erik Hurtado then saw his effort saved as the hosts tried to forge a lead.

However, it was Salt Lake who edged in front on 57 minutes when Nat Borchers fired home following Javier Morales's pass.

Vancouver, who started the match outside the playoff places in the Eastern Conference, levelled the game from the penalty spot five minutes later when Carlos Salcedo bundled Hurtado over in the area. Morales duly stepped to tuck the spot kick beyond Jeff Attinella.

The Canadians then took the lead with 12 minutes remaining as substitute Kekuta Manneh and Steven Beitashour combined to set up the Chilean midfielder for his second of the game.

Salt Lake tried to force a late equaliser, but near misses from Borchers and Sebastian Jaime were as close as the Utah side came.