Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Sebastien Le Toux scored 10 minutes from time
to help 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at
BC Place on Saturday.
Vancouver's Darren Mattocks picked up two yellow cards in quick succession
with 30 minutes to play, but the Whitecaps responded with their best spell of
pressure in the entire game, and were rewarded 10 minutes from time as Le Toux
volleyed home Davide Chiumiento's lobbed pass to give his team a second
successive win.
Colorado had chances to equalize in the last 10 minutes, but sustained its
first defeat in three games.
The Rapids had the best chances in the first half with Martin Rivero going
close with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, while Kosuke Kimura's
deflected effort forced a good save from goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
Gershon Koffie blazed a shot wide from 14 yards for Vancouver early in the
second half, but the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Mattocks received a
second yellow card for a late challenge on Colorado's Drew Moor.
But the incident seemed to wake up the home side and Le Toux had a shot tipped
onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who also made a fine stop on
John Thorrington.
However, Vancouver continued to press and a brilliant ball from Chiumiento was
lobbed perfectly into the path of Le Toux, who made no mistake with his
volley.
The Rapids came alive in the final 10 minutes as Edu had his shot blocked by a
Vancouver defender with an open net staring him in the face.
The final opportunity came in the 88th minute when Hunter Freeman got forward
for the Rapids but saw his curling effort crash off the far post.
The Sports Network