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A late goal by Carlyle Mitchell wasnt enough for Vancouver Whitecaps FC to avoid their second straight 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday morning at the Kino Sports Complex. Down 2-0, the Trinidadian defender brought the Caps to within one goal after heading in a Nicolas Mezquida corner in the 78th minute. Vancouver nearly equalized moments later, when Uruguayan midfielder Sebastien Fernandez released Darren Mattocks into the Sounders 18-yard-box, but the Jamaicans left-footed effort trickled just wide of the post as Whitecaps FCs comeback bid fell just short. "Winning and losing is a fine line," said head coach Carl Robinson. "You saw today that it was pretty even game. They took their two chances, we ended up scoring and missing a penalty and getting a chance in the last minute and we lose the game. Its preseason … Im not really focused on results at the moment. Im focused on fitness and also on combinations." Unlike Vancouvers first two preseason matches in Casa Grande, Sundays contest in Tucson was made up of three 30-minute periods rather than two halves. The Caps went with an experienced squad again on Sunday, with players like David Ousted, Jay DeMerit, and Nigel Reo-Coker making their second straight starts. Right back Steven Beitashour also made his first start as a member of Whitecaps FC and midfielder Russell Teibert made his first appearance of the preseason. The 21-year-old Canadian, who played in a holding midfielder position alongside Reo-Coker, was lively throughout the opening 45 minutes in defending and attacking positions. After a fairly uneventful opening 20 minutes, in which Whitecaps FC looked comfortable in possession, Seattle broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute on the strength of a Kevin Parsemain volley from the top of the box. Teibert had Vancouvers best chance to even the match in the 38th, as he took to the penalty spot after Hurtado was hauled down, only to see his attempt sail over the goal. Despite the miss, the Caps manager said he liked what he saw from the young Canadian. "I thought he was great," said Robinson. "He wanted the ball all the time, he was dropping deep to get on the ball, and he was spraying passes. I thought it was a very positive performance from Russell." Andy Rose scored the eventual winner for Sounders FC in the 50th minute. In the build-up, Sean Okoli headed a Chad Barrett cross across goal to the near post, where Rose headed it in past a sprawling Marco Carducci. The Caps will return to Casa Grande on Sunday, where a number of Vancouvers trialists and recent draft picks will play a scrimmage against Indy Eleven on Monday, before flying back to Vancouver on Wednesday. Their next preseason match is set for Sunday, February 16 against the University of Victoria Vikes at Centennial Stadium. . A last-minute leveler ensured the two-time defending champion remained nine points ahead of Roma, which drew 0-0 at bitter rival Lazio in the capital derby. . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. .Pete Morelli said the back judge threw a flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on a pass to Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew in Dallas 24-20 wild-card win Sunday. But the head linesman said there wasnt enough contact and that Hitchens was face-guarding, which isnt a penalty in the NFL. . Lynchs attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press on Thursday of the plea deal that was reached with the Alameda County District Attorney Office. The plea will be formally entered in court in Oakland, Calif. .In a statement released Friday, the Catalan club said the Brazil stars recovery would be monitored to determine when he can begin training again.The Copa America Centenario erupted into controversy on Sunday after a refereeing blunder sent Brazil crashing to a 1-0 defeat against Peru – and out of the tournament. The defeat left Brazil struggling to digest their worst performance in the Copa America since 1987, the last occasion the five-time world champions failed to make it past the group stage.Brazil, needing only a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of Group B, looked to be on course for a place in the last eight with 15 minutes to go against Peru. But a rare foray into Brazilian territory from Peru ended with Raul Ruidiaz bundling in Andy Polos cross from the by-line, appearing to use his arm to score.Ruidiaz wheeled away to celebrate and Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha signalled for the goal. Miranda leads Brazilian protests after the goal which knocked them out of the Copa America Brazils players protested furiously, swarming around Cunha in a bid to persuade the official to reverse his decision.The protests appeared to have swayed Cunha, who looked to be frantically checking with the fourth official via his headpiece to determine whether the goal should stand.Yet after a chaotic delay of around four minutes - with players from both sides surrounding the referee - Cunha ruled the goal should stand.Multiple replays from different angles, however, showed that Ruidiaz had used his arm to knock the ball into the net past Brazil keeper Alisson.Brazil pressed forward in the final closing minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser that would take them through but it was to no avail.Elias squandered a golden chance from close range in injury time and Brazils fate was sealed.Peru will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals after finishing top of Group B. Members of Perus naational team celebrate their victory as Brazils Miranda comforts team-mate Renato Augusto Brazil coach Dunga lambasted the decision to allow Perus goal.ddddddddddddI am sure the Brazilian fans saw the game and saw how Brazil was eliminated, Brazil coach Dunga said.There is no way to anticipate imponderables. The team was not eliminated by anything to do with football, he added, criticising the lengthy deliberations between the match officials which held up the game.I do not quite understand who or what the referee was consulting, Dunga said, adding that he had watched replays of the incident on screens in the Gillette Stadium.It was such a clear handball, but we have no influence over the referee, he said.Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said I thought we did enough to deserve to win and added he had not had a clear view of the handball incident.I havent seen it yet. Ive heard some comments. But I never think too much about mistakes by officials, he said. Brazils coach Dunga (R) is pictured after being defeated by Peru Brazils early exit is certain to pile pressure on Dunga after what was a lacklustre tournament.The Brazilians, desperate to begin the road to recovery after their humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in the World Cup semi-finals two years ago, never convinced at any point of the group stage.A 0-0 opening draw with Ecuador - where a refereeing decision which might have given Ecuador a victory went in Brazils favour - was followed by a 7-1 drubbing of Haiti, arguably the weakest team in the tournament.Another drab display against Peru followed on Sunday, with Dungas side barely getting a shot on goal in the first half with the exception of a shot by Gabriel in the 26th minute that was tipped away by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Dunga, meanwhile, emphasized that Brazils long-term rebuilding job would take time.There are no quick-fixes, he said. We will need to be patient.You can watch the Copa America live on Premier Sports. 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