VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps moved back to the top of the Supporters' Shield standings but were made to work hard for their 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at BC Place on Wednesday night.
Octavio Rivero finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, beating the offside trap to head home Cristian Techera's perfect cross. Techera then added the second four minutes later to give Vancouver all three points, as the 'Caps recorded their 11th clean sheet of the season.
The wins sees Vancouver (15-10-3; 48 points) move two points clear at the top of the Western Conference. Colorado (8-10-9; 33 points) remain second bottom of the West and eight points off the playoff places.
Both teams were without some key personnel heading into the game and the first half was without much goalmouth action, with neither side coming close to threatening to break the deadlock in a lacklustre affair.
Vancouver's offensive capabilities were reduced when captain Pedro Morales picked up a hamstring injury just before halftime and was replaced at the break.
The second half saw play finally start to open up and Kekuta Manneh came close with a curling drive from just outside the box in the 57th minute.
The Rapids came closest yet in the 71st minute when Kevin Doyle got his head on a Marc Burch cross, forcing David Ousted to make a diving save on his goalline.
Vancouver finally got their breakthrough two minutes later, when Rivero timed his run perfectly to stay onside and head home Techera's pinpoint cross.
Techera then made it 2-0 four minutes later, quickly pouncing on a rebound in the Rapids box to fire home his sixth of the season and secure the victory for Vancouver.
The Whitecaps now have another long break from MLS action, before returning to host the Seattle Sounders on September 19th, following a midweek CONCACAF Champions League tie at home to CD Olimpia in a week's time. Colorado are right back at it on Saturday night when the Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United come to town (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
