VANCOUVER — It was another heartbreak for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Defender Axel Sjoberg scored with four minutes gone in extra time as the Colorado Rapids battled from behind twice to manage a 2-2 draw against the Whitecaps in Major League Soccer play Saturday. The tie extended Colorado's unbeaten streak to 13 games.
In their last home game the Whitecaps conceded a goal in extra time that allowed Toronto FC to win the Amway Canadian Championships.
Even though the Whitecaps claimed a point against the Rapids it felt very much like a loss.
"It's a lack of composure, a lack of finishing off the games," said Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted. "Today they were a better team most of the game but we scrapped it out.
"At the end of the day, when you are up 2-1 four minutes into overtime, we need to see the games out."
Sjoberg's second goal of the season silence a sellout crowd of 22,120 at BC Place Stadium who believed victory was in Vancouver's grasp.
Striker Kevin Doyle started the play with a pass against the run of the play from the side of the net. Sjoberg headed the ball past Ousted.
For Vancouver coach Carl Robinson it was like watching a bad movie he'd seen before.
"We just have to cut out the errors," he said. "Football lasts for 90-plus minutes.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/whitecaps19#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"in two (of vancouver's last three) games we have been bitten on the backside a little by conceding in the last minute. until the whistle blows, you have to keep your concentration levels."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the whitecaps looked to have the game in hand when christian techera scored on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to give vancouver a 2-1 lead. the penalty was awarded after techera was hauled down from behind in the penalty box by colorado defender jared watts.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
doyle, the republic ireland international, scored colorado's other goal in the 59th minute.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
defender kendal waston opened the scoring for vancouver in the 10th minute.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the rapids controlled possession for over 67 per cent of the game and forced ousted to make some big saves.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"i don't think we deserved to win the game," said robinson. "i think colorado deserved the credit the way it panned out.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"with us conceding the goal in the last minute, i was disappointed but i think it was a fair result."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the single point moved the whitecaps (7-8-4) into a fifth place tie with kansas city in the mls's western conference. the whitecaps are 1-3-2 in their last six games. they haven't won an mls game at home since may 11.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the rapids, who haven't lost an mls game in three months, remain second in the west with a 9-2-7 record. colorado has allowed a league-low 13 goals.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"the game of soccer is riddled with different moments that have you riding an emotional roller coaster," said rapids coach pablo mastroeni, a former u.s. national team member.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"for a good part of the 70 minutes i thought we played some of our best stuff all year. we moved the ball well, defended well, didn't let them get in rhythm. overall a draw might be a fair result."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
.jpg)
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/whitecaps18#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
it was the third-consecutive tie for colorado and its fifth draw in the last seven games. the rapids two previous games ended in 0-0 draws.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
one worrying trend for the whitecaps is they have allowed two or more goals in six of their last seven games.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"it's very disturbing," said ousted. ""right now we are still searching for the answer."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the rapids went a man down in the 71st minute when defender eric miller was given a red card for a hard tackle on vancouver captain pedro morales.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
.jpg)
MORE Sports ARTICLES
96,000 Fans Show Their Love Of Baseball At Weekend Blue Jays Exhibition Games
MONTREAL — It was mission accomplished for Montreal baseball advocates as over 96,000 fans came out for two Toronto Blue Jays exhibition games at Olympic Stadium.
96,000 Fans Show Their Love Of Baseball At Weekend Blue Jays Exhibition Games
Montreal's Catherine Dufresne Wins Bronze Medal At Whistler Cup
WHISTLER, B.C. — Catherine Dufresne of Montreal won the bronze medal in the women's giant slalom under warm and sticky snow conditions at the Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition on Saturday.
Montreal's Catherine Dufresne Wins Bronze Medal At Whistler Cup
Saina Nehwal Loses To Xuerui In Malaysia Open Semis
World No.1 shuttler Saina Nehwal went down 21-13, 17-21, 20-22 in her women's singles semifinal to reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui at the $500,000 Malaysia Open Superseries Premier here on Saturday.
Saina Nehwal Loses To Xuerui In Malaysia Open Semis
Hall of Fame forward Elmer Lach Dies at 97
MONTREAL — Elmer Lach was more than just the centre who fed passes to Maurice (Rocket) Richard on the Montreal Canadiens famous Punch Line.
Hall of Fame forward Elmer Lach Dies at 97
Alexander, Boughner Claim Bronze Medals At Whistler Cup Skiing Competition
WHISTLER, B.C. — Kyle Alexander of Whistler, B.C., and Toronto's Samantha Boughner captured bronze medals Friday in super G events at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup ski event.
Alexander, Boughner Claim Bronze Medals At Whistler Cup Skiing Competition
Whitecaps Hope To Keep Three-game Winning Streak Alive Against Galaxy
It has been exciting for their fans but the Vancouver Whitecaps recent streak of late, game-winning goals have taken their toll on coach Carl Robinson.