Whitecaps FC 1, Crew 0

Lee Young-Pyo scored off a free kick in the 74th minute to help the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday night for their sixth shutout of the season.

''Tonight was one of the first games this season where maybe a couple of things bounced our way and went our way,'' Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said. ''Early in the game, Columbus came out strong and put us under a lot of pressure and they continued to do that in the first half.''

The Whitecaps (4-2-2) had few chances from the run of play, but took advantage of a restart on the lone goal. Young-Pyo lofted the shot from 24 yards over goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum's outstretched hands and into the upper-left corner - a play that both sides agreed was supposed to be a crossing pass.

''It was a cross that was meant to be a cross and unfortunately it went the other way,'' Gruenebaum said. ''He got a little bit lucky. I got caught maybe taking a step forward, then couldn't get my body back and was stuck just jumping straight up. I don't know if he hits it a few more times if he even comes close to that. I don't think he meant to do that.''

The Crew, 2-4-1 and winless in four games, had the best opportunity to score in the first half in the 16th minute when Josh Williams' bicycle kick hit the crossbar. In the final 7 minutes before the break, the Crew forced goalkeeper Joe Cannon to make saves on Eddie Gaven and Aaron Schoenfeld from distance.

Cannon also made two early saves for Vancouver.

''That's a fantastic base for us to build from,'' Rennie said. ''Joe made a couple of big saves.''

Columbus had a goal called back in the third minute when a foul was called on Chad Marshall as Williams footed a corner kick into the goal.

''The ref said guys were grabbing,'' Williams said. ''It's basically every play in MLS. I'm not sure what the call was there.''