Diego Rubio scores lone goal as Colorado Rapids blank Vancouver Whitecaps

Diego Rubio's free kick goal in the 26th minute was the only goal in the Colorado Rapids' 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night in Sandy, Utah, where the Whitecaps are currently playing their Major League Soccer home games.

Colorado got its first win of the season, helped by an overturned penalty late in the game.

After a Janio Bikel foul just outside the box gave the Rapids a free kick, Rubio's attempt from left of the box soared over the wall of defenders and into the top right corner of the net for Colorado's second goal in three games this season.

- ESPN+: MLS chat and more on ESPN FC Daily (U.S. only)

- Which MLS youngsters are ready for Europe?

Colorado had several good chances for more goals. Prior to Rubio's goal, Andre Shinyashiki missed a header wide and had a shot from close range turned away by Whitecaps goalie Maxime Crepeau.

The Whitecaps were dealt their first loss of the season. They thought they had a penalty kick in the 80th minute when it was first ruled that the Rapids' Kellyn Acosta pulled down Vancouver's Caio Alexandre in the box on a free kick. But upon video review, the call was overturned.

Among Vancouver's best scoring chances, Deiber Caicedo's header off a turnover by Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough was knocked out by Yarbrough in the 22nd minute.

Yarbrough saved a header from the Whitecaps' Ranko Veselinovic off a set piece in the 56th minute.

The Whitecaps pressed for a tying goal late in the match, but were time and again turned away by shots that weren't close to the target or due to good defending from the Rapids.

Whitecaps academy product Kamron Habibullah, 17, made his team debut, coming on as a late substitute. But despite five minutes of added time in the second half, Vancouver couldn't find an equalizer.

Crepeau had five saves for Vancouver and Yarbrough four for Colorado.