Manneh lifts Whitecaps past Sounders, 1-0

SEATTLE - Kekuta Manneh scored in the final minute of the first half and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Friday night to move back into position for a playoff spot.

In front of 55,765 fans, the Whitecaps (11-8-13) won their third straight game and jumped a point ahead of Portland for the fifth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Both teams have two games remaining.

The Sounders (19-10-3) remained tied with Los Angeles atop overall MLS standings. The Galaxy visit FC Dallas on Sunday, then will face Seattle in a home-and-home series.

Manneh's goal, his fourth of the season, came off a counterattack. Midfielder Pedro Morales sent a long through ball to a streaking Manneh up the left wing side. Sounders defender Chad Marshall caught up, but Manneh took the ball into the left side of the penalty area, deked around Marshall, and sent a 14-yard shot into the back right corner for his fourth of the year

Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted had his league-leading 11th shutout.