Vancouver Whitecaps capped a busy week in fine style with a 2-1 home win over Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers on Friday evening.

Two first-half goals by Nicholas Addlery gave the Whitecaps a crucial three points at Swangard Stadium, despite Lawrence Olum scoring an initial equalizer for the Timbers. The victory keeps Vancouver two points behind USL First Division leaders Puerto Rico Islanders, with the Caribbean club taking all three points at home on Friday after a 2-1 result over third-place Charleston Battery. The win also meant the Whitecaps had swept their regular-season series of games with Portland, with all three matches producing maximum points for The Blue and White.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made one change to the side that performed well in Wednesday's goalless draw versus the Sounders in Seattle. Eduardo Sebrango returned from a one-game suspension to partner Addlery in attack. The Cuban replaced the injured Charles Gbeke, who was sidelined with mild concussion after taking a knock to the head on Wednesday.

Timbers head coach Gavin Wilkinson, meanwhile, made three changes to the side that started last Saturday's 2-1 home win over Montreal Impact. Making his Portland debut in goal was former Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Chase Harrison, as he replaced the on-loan Brad Knighton. Knighton was recalled by his parent club in Major League Soccer outfit New England Revolution. Miguel Guante replaced Scot Thompson in the visitors' backline, while Chris Bagley came in to partner Bryan Jordan in attack after replacing fellow forward Byron Alvarez.

On a cool late summer's evening, a Swangard crowd of 4,761 saw an intriguing first half that was scrappy at times, but generated the game's three goals nonetheless.

The deadlock was broken as early as the third minute, as Addlery scored his first goal since early July when he took a Lyle Martin pass on the edge of the Portland box before cracking a left-foot shot past Harrison to give Vancouver an early lead.

It was just what the Whitecaps needed after being kept off the scoresheet in Seattle two nights earlier, but their joy of being in front was short-lived, as the Timbers leveled on 12 minutes. A ball from the left was flicked by Bagley to Olum at the far post and his first-time strike beat Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly from close range for his third goal of the season. Interestingly, all three of Olum's goals in 2008 have come away from home.

A minute later, the Timbers were in again on the Whitecaps goal, but Nolly was on hand to deny the speedy Bryan Jordan when he blocked his shot with his chin.

The game then settled down for a spell, with Jarun receiving his seventh booking of the season after he fouled Portland midfielder Chris Brown on 18 minutes.

The scoring chances carried through to the 27th minute. That was when Sebrango headed just wide of the Portland near post after connecting with a well-played Luca Bellisomo cross from the right. On the half-hour mark, Martin Nash struck a free-kick effort over the Timbers crossbar after Sebrango was fouled near the edge of the Portland box.

Martin caused Portland many problems in the first half, with the right-sided winger forcing Tom Poltl to block his goal-bound shot in the visitors' box on 34 minutes before Leonard Griffin sailed Brown's corner high and wide at the other end two minutes later.

As proceedings edged towards the break, the Whitecaps started to apply pressure on the Oregon outfit, and on 43 minutes, Addlery broke through to score his second goal of the game, and fourth of the season. Martin redirected a through ball into the path of the Jamaican forward, who then made a fine run into the Portland box and finished high past Harrison for 2-1.

The home side then had chances to increase their lead a minute later, but Addlery struck an overhead kick over the Portland goal before Martin rolled a shot wide of the target.

Both teams then headed to their dressing rooms for halftime, with the Whitecaps holding a one-goal lead at the break.

The second half saw the home side continue to look more impressive with their forward play, though the first shot in anger came from Portland's Brown, but his 49th minute free kick sailed well wide of Nolly's goal.

On 54 minutes, Martin played a neat low cross to Sebrango from the right before the Cuban forced Harrison to concede a corner with his shot. On 59 minutes, Steve Kindel replaced Alfredo Valente on the left side of midfield for Vancouver.

With only one goal separating the sides at this stage, Portland still had the chance to draw level again in the match. Brown caused a scare in the Vancouver box on 62 minutes, but he was unable to get a shot off, while Bryan Jordan forced Nolly into a fine save three minutes later with his turn and shot after Timbers substitute Bryan Little found the on-loan striker with his dangerous cross from the left.

With Vancouver reaching the three-quarter stage of their third match in six nights, Thordarson introduced fresh legs in the form of Whitecaps Residency youngsters Ethan Gage and Randy Edwini-Bonsu, as well as winger Vicente Arze and striker Jason Jordan.

The Bolivian Arze was then unfortunate not to score on 77 minutes, as the South American's curling shot struck the Portland crossbar and bounced away to safety.

The final stages of the match became a bit edgy for the home fans, as the Whitecaps looked a bit worn out from what had been a very busy week of league action. With Portland applying late pressure to find a leveler, Brown could only find the arms of Nolly with a stoppage-time free kick from the left, as the final whistle ensured a valuable three points for the Whitecaps.

Vancouver will now turn their thoughts to next Wednesday night and a second visit of the season from Atlanta Silverbacks before embarking on a crucial two-game road trip to Puerto Rico to play the Islanders the following weekend. Portland, meanwhile, will have a 12-day break before hosting Miami FC Blues at PGE Park on Thursday, September 4.