Top Stories

Whitecaps clinch playoff spot in goal-less draw vs. FC Dallas

Tim Parker Mauro Diaz Vancouver Whitecaps FC Dallas 22

photo by Marie Sorvin/USA Today Sports

By SBI SOCCER

 

If this meeting between the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas was a sign of things to come, do not expect their second match next week to be all that pretty.

The Whitecaps and FC Dallas played to a hard-fought scoreless draw in a Western Conference affair at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on Wednesday night. The result clinched a postseason berth for Carl Robinson’s men, but diminished the likelihood that they can win the Supporters’ Shield.

FC Dallas’ quest for that same piece of regular-season hardware also took a hit with the draw, but the West leader has one more game than the Whitecaps to try and make up the point differential between it and the New York Red Bulls.

Neither Dallas or Vancouver created a bevy of scoring chances, but the former came closest to coming out on top late in the match when Blas Perez saw a low bender roll just past the far post in the 90th minute.

Another good-looking opportunity came for FC Dallas in the 64th, as David Texeira brought down a looping pass before firing a shot that Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted stopped with a quick reflex-save.

Ousted also kept the Whitecaps from conceding with a solid 24th-minute stop. A well-worked passing sequence saw Ryan Hollingshead race in on goal from the left side of the penalty area, but his effort was pushed over the bar by Ousted.

Vancouver’s best opportunity arguably came in the 19th minute when Pa Modou Kah headed a corner towards goal before Kellyn Acosta nodded the ball away.

The two sides have the weekend off, but meet again in their next league match a week from Wednesday in Frisco, Texas.

—–

What do you think of the Whitecaps’ goal-less draw with FC Dallas? How do you see Vancouver doing in the playoffs? Think this result all but ended both clubs’ chances of winning the Supporters’ Shield?

Share your thoughts below.

Leave a Comment