The Vancouver Whitecaps know they weren't at their best Saturday night. It didn't matter. Damir Kreilach scored in injury time and the 'Caps stole a 2-1 decision from the Colorado Rapids.
"Obviously a big win for us. We know we didn’t play our best game tonight — we were far from it," said Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld, who contributed a pair of assists in the victory. "But after the load of games we’ve had lately, it was nice to end it with three points.
” The 'Caps (7-5-4) and Rapids (6-7-4) traded goals early in the second half and appeared poised to settle for a draw until Kreilach — who came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute — put a shot through Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen for the win. “You’re not going to be on top of your game every week," Gauld said. "To be able to keep at it, to kind of grind it out, it wasn’t the most beautiful last 20, 25 minutes from us, but to be able to just grind it out, all be there for each other, it was a huge boost for the team.
” Colorado looked like it would get a prime opportunity in the 33rd minute after striker Kevin Cabral collided with Mathias Laborda in the penalty area. Referee Michael Venne called for a penalty kick, but after a video review, the call was overturned. The visitors then nearly got on the board in first-half injury time when Cabral fired a right-footed shot from the centre of the box.
Whitecaps 'keeper Yohei Takaoka stretched out and got a toe on the ball, sending it just wide to keep the game.