At least it wasn't for lack of effort. The Vancouver Whitecaps had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss to the Rochester Rhinos Saturday, in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,288 at Swangard Stadium. It was the second game of a doubleheader, with the women's team playing to a 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders in the opener.
The Whitecaps men were clearly the better team for most of the United Soccer Leagues First Division matchup, but could only manage to beat Rhino goalkeeper Scott Vallow once on more than a dozen excellent scoring chances.
Vallow's best save of the night came on Ansu Toure's penalty kick in the 67th minute, after striker Marcus Haber was pulled down in the box.
Substitute Dever Orgil was the lone Whitecap to find the back of the net in the 90th minute. Chris Nurse and Johnny Menyonger scored Rhino goals.
The Whitecaps, 3-2-2 on the season, have little time to dwell on the loss. They are in Montreal Wednesday to play the Impact in the second game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championships. Vancouver and Montreal are winless in the three-team tournament, both having lost 1-0 to Toronto FC.
In the women's match, Nikki Wright scored two minutes into injury time to secure the draw in their season-opener.
Man U wins title: Manchester United captured their 18th English league title, and their third in a row, when they secured the point they needed in a nervy 0-0 draw Sunday at home to Arsenal. United moved to 87 points with one game left, ending the challenge of Liverpool, who have 83 after a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion that relegated their opponents.
Juventus fires coach: Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as Juventus coach after a poor run of results and youth team boss Ciro Ferrara has taken over temporarily. Juve drew 2-2 at home Sunday with Atalanta, leaving the Turin club three points behind second-placed AC Milan with two games left.
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