Kevin Doyle scored his first goal in the MLS to fire the Colorado Rapids to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Rapids took the lead in the second minute when Vicente Sanchez collected the ball unmarked at the back post and slotted it past David Ousted into the net.
Colorado had the chance to double their lead as Marcelo Sarvas's free kick was cleared into the path of Luis Solignac and he hooked an effort towards the top corner, but Ousted made a fine stop.
The Whitecaps equalised when Mauro Rosales raided down the flank and lifted a cross to the back post where Kekuta Manneh put the ball the past Clint Irwin.
Vancouver almost went ahead as Manneh made a surging run through the middle and fired an effort towards goal, which went inches over the crossbar.
Both teams threatened just before the break as Solignac curled an effort just past the post for the home side, while Darren Mattocks put an effort from close range wide for the Whitecaps.
In the second half, Doyle opened his account for the Rapids as he rose highest in the area to power a header past Ousted from Lucas Pittinari's pinpoint cross.
Vancouver made a late push to get back into the game when Octavio Rivero turned his man on the edge of the box and rifled an effort at goal, but Irwin made a diving stop to secure the win for his team.
Simon Sinclair
