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Vancouver Whitecaps' Camilo Sanvezzo, left, of Brazil, attempts a bicycle-kick shot on goal as Chivas USA's Alejandro Moreno, of Venezuela, looks on during the first half of an MLS game in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday October 3, 2012.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

Brazilian forward Camilo scored in the second half and had a hand in three other Vancouver goals Wednesday as the Whitecaps defeated Chivas USA 4-0 in Major League Soccer.

Substitute Dane Richards added a goal and an assist after Gershon Koffie had already opened the scoring for the hosts.

Camilo and Barry Robson added second-half goals as Vancouver scored four times for the first time this season in front of a crowd of 17,777 fans at B.C. Place Stadium.

The Whitecaps snapped a seven-game winless streak to stretch their lead over FC Dallas for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference to five points, although Dallas has a game in hand.

Wednesday's matchup was a battle of the two lowest scoring clubs in MLS. Vancouver had not scored three goals in a game since June 10, while Chivas has now lost seven straight and has not scored in 532 minutes, the longest offensive drought in MLS this season.

The Whitecaps opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Camilo began the play by taking a thrown in before feeding the ball up to Kenny Miller. Miller passed to Koffie at the top of the box and the Ghana native powered a left-footed blast by Dallas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who would finish the night with two saves.

It was Koffie's third goal of the year and his first in 11 games dating back to July 18 versus the Los Angeles Galaxy.

After recording his first assist since joining the club, Miller was forced to leave the game in the 18th minute with what seemed to be a hamstring injury.

Richards came on as a substitute and made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, scoring with a right-footed shot for his fourth of goal of the season.

The best Chivas opportunity came during first-half injury time when Juan Agudelo headed a cross just wide of the post.

Vancouver goalkeeper Brad Knighton made his fifth consecutive start and recorded his second straight shutout for the Whitecaps in place of the out-of-favour Joe Cannon.

Camilo scored his fifth of the season in the 62nd minute, converting a centring attempt from Richards in close as he fell to the turf.

Robson capped the scoring with a left-footed volley in the 73rd, his third of the season, after taking a cross from Camilo.

Notes: Richards is set to join Burnley of England's Championship League following the MLS season. ... Vancouver was without the services of striker Darren Mattocks and midfielder John Thorrington, who were both nursing hamstring strains. ... Vancouver has just two games remaining, at home versus Portland on Oct. 20 before visiting Real Salt Lake on Oct. 27. ... Chivas USA hosts FC Dallas on Oct. 7 and Colorado on Oct. 20 before heading to Dallas for their regular season finale Oct. 28. ... Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit played his 50th career game for the Whitecaps. He scored his only career MLS goal against Chivas back on March 17.

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