VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Hassani Dotson scored on a first-half penalty kick and Dayne St. Clair made it stand up to lead Minnesota United to a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.
Minnesota United (14-12-7) grabbed the lead for good in the 24th minute on the PK goal by Dotson. The kick was awarded after Carlos Harvey drew a foul on Vancouver's Mathias Laborda. It was Dotson's fifth netter this season.
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Minnesota United's Carlos Harvey, centre, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, right, vie for the ball as Minnesota's Bongokuhle Hlongwane, left, watches during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Hassani Dotson scored on a first-half penalty kick and Dayne St. Clair made it stand up to lead Minnesota United to a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.
Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich (13) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, right, vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich (13) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda (2) vie for the ball as Minnesota's Bongokuhle Hlongwane, right, watches during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) and Minnesota United's Will Trapp (20) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson, back left, knocks Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, right, over as they vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) kicks the ball missing the net during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Minnesota United in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda heads the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game against Minnesota United, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Alessandro Schopf, left, and Minnesota United's Sang-Bin Jeong (11) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Jefferson Diaz, right, pushes Vancouver Whitecaps' Pedro Vite, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Jefferson Diaz, right, blocks Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Raposo's shot during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) blocks Minnesota United's Miguel Tapias, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Carlos Harvey, centre, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, right, vie for the ball as Minnesota's Bongokuhle Hlongwane, left, watches during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sam Adekugbe, left, kicks the ball at Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, right, missing the net during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
St. Clair stopped two shots in goal for Minnesota United, earning his seventh clean sheet of the season.
Yohei Takaoka had three saves for Vancouver (13-11-8).
Both teams have already qualified for the postseason, but Minnesota United’s victory moves it ahead of Vancouver in the standings although the Whitecaps have a match in hand.
The Whitecaps will host LAFC on Oct. 13 and then travel to play Real Salt Lake for a Decision Day match on Oct. 19 to close out the regular season.
Minnesota United is idle until Oct. 19 when it hosts St. Louis City.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps' Pedro Vite (45) is tripped by Minnesota United's Kelvin Yeboah (9) during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich (13) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, right, vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich (13) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda (2) vie for the ball as Minnesota's Bongokuhle Hlongwane, right, watches during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) and Minnesota United's Will Trapp (20) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson, back left, knocks Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, right, over as they vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) kicks the ball missing the net during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Minnesota United in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda heads the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game against Minnesota United, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Alessandro Schopf, left, and Minnesota United's Sang-Bin Jeong (11) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Jefferson Diaz, right, pushes Vancouver Whitecaps' Pedro Vite, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Jefferson Diaz, right, blocks Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Raposo's shot during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) blocks Minnesota United's Miguel Tapias, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Minnesota United's Carlos Harvey, centre, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, right, vie for the ball as Minnesota's Bongokuhle Hlongwane, left, watches during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sam Adekugbe, left, kicks the ball at Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, right, missing the net during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press via AP)
ROME (AP) — Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent demonstrators in Rome as tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets in major European cities and around the globe Saturday to call for a cease-fire as the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel approached.
Huge rallies were held in several European cities, with gatherings expected to continue over the weekend and peak on Monday, the date of the anniversary.
In Rome, several thousands demonstrated peacefully Saturday afternoon until a smaller group tried to push the rally toward the center of the city, in spite of a ban by local authorities who refused to authorize protests, citing security concerns.
Some protesters, dressed in black and with their faces covered threw stones, bottles and paper bombs at the police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons, eventually dispersing the crowd. At least 30 law enforcement officers and three demonstrators were injured in the clashes, local media reported.
The rally in Rome had been calm earlier, with people chanting “Free Palestine, Free Lebanon,” waving Palestinian flags and holding banners calling for an immediate stop to the conflict.
In London, thousands marched through the capital to Downing Street amid a heavy police presence. The atmosphere was tense as pro-Palestinian protesters and counterdemonstrators, some holding Israeli flags, passed one another. Scuffles broke out as police officers pushed back activists trying to get past a cordon. At least 17 people were arrested on suspicion of public order offenses, supporting a proscribed organization and assault, London's Metropolitan Police said.
In the northern German city of Hamburg, about 950 people staged a peaceful demonstration with many waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags or chanting “Stop the Genocide,” the DPA news agency reported, citing a count by police. Two smaller pro-Israeli counterdemonstrations took place without incident, it said.
Several thousands protesters gathered peacefully at Paris’ Republique Plaza in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. Many were waving Palestinian flags while holding posters reading ”stop the genocide,” “free Palestine,” and “hands off Lebanon.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also gathered at New York’s Times Square to call for a cease-fire, chanting “Gaza!" to a drumbeat. Some wore keffiyeh scarfs, waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags and held a large cardboard image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with red paint symbolizing blood across his face.
Rallies were also planned in several other cities in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, including Denmark, Switzerland, South Africa and India. In the Philippines, dozens of left-wing activists protested near the U.S. Embassy in Manila, where police prevented them from getting closer to the seaside compound.
Pro-Israeli demonstrations are expected to be held Sunday because Jews across the world are still observing Rosh Hashana, or the Jewish new year.
This year, emotions will be high for many given that the midpoint of the 10 days spanning Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is Oct. 7 — the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Security forces in several countries warned of heightened levels of alert in major cities, amid concerns that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could inspire new terror attacks in Europe or that the protests could turn violent.
Pro-Palestinian protests calling for an immediate cease-fire have repeatedly taken place across Europe and around the globe in the past year and have often turned violent, with confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
Italian authorities believed that the timing of Saturday's rally in Rome risked the Oct. 7 attack being “glorified,” local media reported.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also stressed that, ahead of the key anniversary, Europe is on high alert for potential terror attacks.
“This is not a normal situation. … We are already in a condition of maximum prevention,” he said.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Britain, said he and others will keep organizing marches until action against Israel is taken.
“We need to be out on the streets in even bigger numbers to stop this carnage and stop Britain being drawn into it,” Jamal said.
In Berlin, a march is scheduled from the Brandenburg Gate to Bebelplatz on Sunday. Local media reported that security forces have warned of potential overload because of the scale of protests. German authorities pointed to increasing antisemitic and violent incidents in recent days.
Earlier this week in France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned the country’s regional prefects, expressing concern about possible tensions and saying that the terrorist threat was high.
About 3,000 people demonstrated within sight of the White House.
Amid a heavy police presence, the protesters gathered at Lafayette Park, the same site as 2020 protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. “Resistance is justified when people are occupied!” they chanted.
One speaker on stage called Oct. 7, 2023, “the day that Gazans finally broke out of their prison.”
The crowds then marched through downtown, with police closing streets ahead of them.
Protesters carried signs criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the issue. One read: “Abandon Harris ’24.”
Law student Annette Tunstall said she considered voting Democratic after Biden stepped down and Harris became the candidate. But she lost faith after pro-Palestinian voices were muzzled at the Democratic National Convention, she said.
“I really wanted to feel like I could vote for her in good conscience,” Tunstall said. “I don’t think it would have taken a lot for thousands of pro-Palestinian people to hold their nose and vote for Harris.”
On Oct. 7 last year, Hamas launched a surprise attack into Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis, taking 250 people hostage and setting off a war with Israel that has shattered much of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since then in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians.
Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. Israelis have experienced attacks — missiles from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, fatal shootings and stabbings — as the region braces for further escalation.
In late September, Israel shifted some of its focus to Hezbollah, which it seeks to push back from its border in parts of south Lebanon where the group is entrenched.
Hui reported from London. AP journalists Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, John Minchillo in New York and Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this story.
Palestinian supporters drive through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Palestinian supporters drive through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Palestinian supporters drive through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Palestinian supporters hold a large Palestinian flag as they rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Rosa Teran wears a scarf with the image of Venezuelan late president Hugo Chavez, left, and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, right, during a march to the United Nations office to show support for the Palestinian people in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, days before the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack in southern Israel and Israel's response to go to war on Hamas. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Demonstrators unfurl a Palestinian flag during march to the United Nations office in a government organized demonstration to show support for the Palestinian people in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, days before the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack in southern Israel and Israel's response to go to war on Hamas. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Demonstrators protest in support of the Palestinian people, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Toronto, days before the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack in southern Israel and Israel's response to go to war on Hamas. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Demonstrators protest in support of the Palestinian people, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Toronto, days before the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack in southern Israel and Israel's response to go to war on Hamas. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
People participate in a rally in support of the Palestinian people downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A woman holds a Serbian flag during a pro-Palestinian gathering in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People protest and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Pro-Palestinian supporters protest in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A protester holds a a cushion that reads, "Macron I hate you with all my heart " during rally in support of Palestinian people in Gaza and Lebanon in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Italian Police and demonstrators clash during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags and chant slogans during a pro Palestinian protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
A demonstrator hold a Palestinian flag and chants slogans during a pro Palestinian protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A participant in a pro-Palestinian rally holds up her red-painted hands on the Steintordamm, in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)
Demonstrators participate in a pro-Palestinian protest in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Palestinian
Italian Police and demonstrators clash during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Police and demonstrators clash during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, two days before the anniversary of Hamas-led groups' attack in Israeli territory outside of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Protesters hold placards and Palestinian flags during a rally in support of the Palestinian people, in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)
People demonstrate in support of Palestinians in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
People demonstrate in support of Palestinians in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Demonstrators participate in a pro-Palistinian protest in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
People demonstrate in support of Palestinians in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Women attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Palestinian flag is seen during a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Women attend at a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Activists tear a U.S. flag during a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Manila Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, as they hold a protest to observe the first-year anniversary of the war in Gaza.(AP Photo/Gerard V. Carreon)
An activist raises a placard as police personnel block activists from marching near the U.S. Embassy in Manila on Saturday, Oct.5, 2024, as they hold a protest to observe the first-year anniversary of the war in Gaza.(AP Photo/Gerard V. Carreon)
People stand during a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People stand during a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People stand during a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Police officers patrol during a protest in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Pro-palestinians people take to the street in an unauthorised march in the centre of Rome two days ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Police personnel block activists from marching near the U.S. Embassy in Manila Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, as they hold a protest to observe the first-year anniversary of the war in Gaza. (AP Photo/Gerard V. Carreon)
