Rivero, Techera score; Whitecaps beat Rapids

VANCOUVER - Octavio Rivero and Cristian Techera scored 4 minutes apart in the second half and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Wednesday night to move into first place overall in Major League Soccer.

Vancouver (15-10-3) pulled two points ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Rivero scored in the 73rd minute, heading home his 10th of the season off a ball over the top from Techera. Rivero tore off his jersey in celebration - a reaction that earned him a yellow card - before being mobbed by teammates.

Techera buried his sixth past a helpless Clint Irwin in the 77th.

Colorado (8-10-9) had won three straight.