ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Marlon James scored twice as the Vancouver Whitecaps earned a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Rhinos on Friday in United Soccer Leagues First Division action.
Tyrell Burgess also scored for Vancouver - his first goal for the club since joining in the off-season. Friday's result takes the Whitecaps record back to .500 (7-7-3) and puts Vancouver back into a playoff position in the USL-1 standings. It was Vancouver's second road win of the season.
James opened the scoring for the Whitecaps on a penalty shot with five minutes left in the half. The Vancouver striker stepped up to the spot to strike home his seventh goal of the season under diving Rochester goalkeeper Tim Melia.
The Whitecaps extended their lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute when James drilled a low right-footed shot off the inside of the post and into the net.
The Rhinos replied when captain Tiger Fitzpatrick curled home a left-footed finish from the edge of the Whitecaps' box to make it 2-1.
The Whitecaps capped the scoring with a strike from Burgess in the 69th minute. The winger took a pass near the edge of the Rhinos' box before cutting inside and unleashing a shot past a sprawling Melia.
It was the Whitecaps first regular season win in Rochester since Aug. 7, 1996.
