The Vancouver Whitecaps ambushed league-leading FC Dallas on Saturday at BC Place, weathering an early storm of FCD pressure before striking for three opportunistic goals in a 3-0 home victory that could help coach Carl Robinson & Co. turn the page on their rough start to the 2016 campaign.
With assured control of the midfield for most of the first half, Dallas were dominant in the early going but could not make it show on the scoreboard, thanks to slipshod finishing as well as some exceptional goalkeeping from David Ousted. The first goal of the game was in fact converted by someone in a red jersey, as Maynor Figueroa was unlucky to find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when Chris Seitz punched a Kekuta Manneh cross off of Figueroa and into the net in the 35th minute.
Vancouver were much improved after the break as Jordan Harvey, then Manneh capitalized on decent looks at goal, while Ousted continued to stand on his head and was eventually rewarded with a shutout and a precious victory.
Box Score
- 35’ – VAN – Maynor Figueroa (OG)
- 63’ – VAN – Jordan Harvey
- 77’ – VAN – Kekuta Manneh (Blas Perez, Cristian Techera)
- Full box score
- Stats
- Highlights
Three Things
1. MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: FCD jumped all over the home side over the first half-hour and could easily have had a multi-goal lead; Maxi Urruti was dangerous, Tesho Akindele was active and it seemed only a matter of time before Fabian Castillo hit the net. But the chances went begging and the visitors were punished for their wastefulness in the end, providing a painful lesson for the early MLS frontrunners.
2. OUSTED ON ONE: Many observers, especially in British Columbia, rate VWFC's Danish netminder as the league's best 'keeper, and tonight he put on a clinic. While he's generally aware, communicative and in good command of his box, it's the reaction saves that set him apart, like this one:
3. THE UNICORN REAPPEARS: One silver lining for FCD from their second loss of the year was the return of influential playmaker Mauro Diaz after four games on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem. The Argentine made a substitute appearance in Vancouver and while he couldn't stop the bleeding, it's an encouraging milestone on his return to full fitness.
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