BURNABY - Martin Nash scored his first goal of the season Sunday as the Vancouver Whitecaps held on to top spot in the NASL Conference standings with a 1-0 win over FC Tampa Bay.
Nash connected on a penalty kick in the 45th minute of the rainy USSF Second Division affair at Swangard Stadium after Tampa Bay's Scott Buete was whistled for a hand ball in the box.
The Whitecaps (4-2-3) played with 10 men for the final 10 minutes of the game after Luca Bellisomo was shown his second yellow card and ejected after a late slide tackle on Aaron Wheeler. Vancouver held on for the victory, their second straight at home.
The newly-formed Rowdies dropped to 5-2-3 with the loss, which ended their unbeaten run in USSF D-2 at seven games.
Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly and Rowdies 'keeper Daryl Sattler faced 11 shots apiece.
Vancouver is home to NASL Conference rivals Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday, while the Rowdies host the Montreal Impact on Saturday.
