The Colorado Rapids have earned their fifth home win of the season as they eased to a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Rapids started strongly and Deshorn Brown should have done better with an early effort after getting behind the Vancouver defence, but he fired his half-volley wide of the post.

However, Colorado did take the lead in the 20th minute when Marvell Wynne's cross was deflected into the path of Dillon Powers and he turned his man to bury a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The home side were handed the chance to double their lead when Brown was fouled by Nigel Reo-Coker inside the area and a penalty was awarded. Vicente Sanchez took the spot kick and fired his effort past David Ousted.

Sanchez nearly added a third for his side with a spectacular bicycle kick just before the break as he teed himself up inside the box, but Ousted was alert to make the stop low to his right.

After the break, Vancouver tried to rally and came close to getting a goal back when Jordan Harvey fired a low shot at goal and Clinton Irwin was forced into making a good save at his near post.

The Whitecaps pushed late in the game to try to make a late surge for a possible comeback as Matias Laba's tried a shot at goal which was deflected, but Irwin was on hand to make a brilliant reaction stop to seal the win for the Rapids.