Vancouver head coach Martin Rennie missed out on an opportunity to beat his old team as the Whitecaps fell 4-2 on penalties to the Carolina Railhawks in pre-season play Sunday.
Cory Miller and substitute Ty Shipalane put the Railhawks ahead in the shootout after Long Tan and goalkeeper Brad Knighton missed for Vancouver.
The loss spoiled a comeback by the Whitecaps, which drew level in the 90th minute after Tan's through ball found Davide Chiumiento, who beat goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to make it 2-2.
Tan also scored in the 49th minute to tie the game at one for Vancouver.
Amir Lowery scored seven minutes into the game for the North American Soccer League club, and Brian Shriver added one more in the 71st minute at the Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint Community Shield.
The Whitecaps were playing one day after capturing the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC.
Vancouver opens the Major League Soccer season Saturday at home to the Montreal Impact.