Erik Hurtado strike secures Vancouver Whitecaps win

The Vancouver Whitecaps moved up to third in the MLS Western Conference as a strike from Erick Hurtado guided them to victory over the Columbus Crew.

The Whitecaps should have taken the lead in the third minute when Sebastian Fernandez won the ball deep in Crew territory, but he volleyed his effort wide of the post.

Vancouver threatened again when Kekuta Manneh played in Hurtado who fired at goal from close range, but Steve Clark did well to beat his effort away.

The visitors did take the lead in spectacular fashion in the 37th minute when Hurtado controlled a long ball from keeper David Ousted and volleyed the ball into the top corner with a 25-yard strike.

After the break, Manneh almost doubled his side's lead when he picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and fired a shot which went inches past the post.

Vancouver had the chance to secure the three points when Manneh released Hurtado one-on-one with Clark, but the striker sliced his effort well wide of the post.

The Crew almost found an equaliser when Justin Meram met Dominic Oduro's cross into the area from the right, but he could only head his effort over the bar, which allowed the visitors to hold out for the win.