FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – Game Recap
A great display of soccer from both sides last night towards the end of the regular MLS season, with both teams coming with determination and skill. Although unlike in the two recent meetings between Dallas and Vancouver – last night was all about FC Dallas.
Both of these high-ranking MLS Western Conference teams have already clinched a playoff position coming into this match, but the recent meeting last week ending with a goalless draw, both hosts and visitors came determined to prove a point, or in this case, 2 points…proven by FC Dallas.
The game started with both sides producing numerous opportunities and shots during the first half, with both teams being saved by the goal posts early in the second half, and both sides were saved by the goalposts several times.
The hosts’ first goal came half an hour into the match, with Dallas’s Mauro Diaz and Ryan Hllingshead hustling through Vancouver’s defense with a series of beautiful short passes and concise passes. Eventually, finding Michael Barrios in the right side of the box. Barrios shot and found the back of the net to give Dallas the lead (32’).
FC Dallas 1 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
FC Dallas was awarded with a penalty kick, when Whitecaps’ defender Tim Parker took down Dallas’s Michael Barrios on the left side of the goal line. However Mauro Diaz failed to convert as Vancouver keeper David Ousted read the direction and dived for an impressive save.
However, the night was still young for Dallas’s Mauro Diaz, who received a header from Victor Ulloa and again skilfully passed through Vancouver’s defense into the box and doubled the hosts’ lead (52’).
FC Dallas 2 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
Both Dallas and the Whitecaps continued to pressure and create opportunities, literally until the last minute of the match. Notably, the hosts almost scored a third goal on the last minute of regulation time. However, Blas Perez was ruled offside.
FC Dallas will have a short break, and travel to play at Real Salt Lake on Saturday. The Vancouver Whitecaps will travel next Thursday to Honduras face CD Olimpia for a CONCAF match, and will return for their last match of the Regular MLS season, hosting Houston Dynamo on Sunday, October 25th.
