DC United came from behind to defeat the 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in their MLS clash at BC Place.
The home side took the lead in just the second minute when Pedro Morales was picked out in the box and the midfielder buried an effort past Andrew Dykstra into the bottom corner.
United were level within minutes as Michael Farfan raided down the flank and lifted a cross into the box which was headed home by Bobby Boswell from close range.
The visitors pressed again as Fabian Espindola won the ball in midfield and released the run of Farfan, but he could only chip his effort over the crossbar as he tried to lift the ball over David Ousted.
Vancouver were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Matias Laba was sent off for a second bookable offence for bringing down Espindola as he tried to break upfield.
In the second half, DC almost took the lead when Espindola carved out space for a shot from the edge of the box, but his drive was well saved by Ousted.
The Whitecaps keeper made another fine stop to keep the scores level as Chris Rolfe powered a strike towards the top corner, but Ousted tipped his effort wide of the target.
However, Rolfe was not to be denied minutes later when he fired a bullet of a shot past Ousted and into the net to hand the visitors the lead.
Vancouver pushed to get an equaliser late in the match and the ball fell fortuitously at the feet of Sam Adekugbe, but the defender failed to hit the target from close range with the goal gaping.
Simon Sinclair
