A three-game win streak against the stumbling and bumbling of MLS has shown the Vancouver Whitecaps have taken a crucial step in their development.

They're winning the games they're supposed to win.

But as the level of the opposition ramps up this week - from cellar dwellers to an Eastern conference climber and one of those seemingly unbeatable I-5 rivals - do the Caps have what it takes to continue to roll?

Vancouver dispatched lowly D.C. United 1-0 on a Camilo penalty kick on Saturday at RFK Stadium in a game that was more professional than pretty, keyed by the tireless effort of midfielder Matt Watson and the defensive commitment of forwards Kenny Miller and Russell Teibert.

"I think people are realizing within the locker room that if they work as hard as they possibly can for each other we've got enough quality to win games," said head coach Martin Rennie. "And when you win games and get on a good run of form it builds confidence."

The streaking Caps are 5-1-1 over their last seven, a run that started with a first ever win over the two-time reigning MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy at home and included a first road win of this season over the New York Red Bulls.

"Yeah, the confidence is building, and, obviously, 5-1-1 in our last seven and two (wins) out of three on the road was fantastic," said goalkeeper Brad Knighton, who recorded only the club's second clean sheet of the season in Saturday's victory.

"To win at D.C. and win at New York are two tough places to come win. We've managed to come together as a team these last couple of weeks on the road and the performances have shown."

In the last three games, the Caps have recorded a wild 4-3 come-from-two-goals-down victory at B.C. Place over inconsistent New England, beat Western Conference doormat Chivas USA 3-1 at home with a clinical display and topped D.C. United, which has just two wins and eight goals on the season.

Now, the Caps face Sporting Kansas City, 7-5-5 and second in the East, at Sporting Park on Wednesday before returning home Saturday to meet the Seattle Sounders, whom they have never beaten (0-3-3) in MLS play.

It will be a daunting challenge, particularly with the travel in between.

"We've built our season around being more physically in shape than other teams," Knighton told Team 1040 after the win over D.C. "Kansas City played as well (on Saturday). They're going to be fatigued as well. It's just a matter of grinding out. If you've got heart and drive you're going to pick up points in this league."

Vancouver had been on a remarkable goal-scoring run before Saturday - 15 goals in six games - but got the only goal it would need in Washington in the 48th minute. The red-hot Camilo smashed his penalty right down the middle into the spot vacated by United goalkeeper Bill Hamid who had guessed left.

It was Hamid who was assessed the foul in the box. Watson had raced on to a terrific through ball from Miller and made a quick touch around Hamid before the lunging 'keeper's momentum carried him onto the back of the Vancouver player's legs. Hamid did appear to get a hand on the ball before taking Watson down.