Vancouver, BC – 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.
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