It was another road game and another loss for the Vancouver Whitecaps after a last minute 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. After surviving multiple chances by the home side, the Caps were scored on six minutes into injury time by Julian de Guzman. The three points by FC Dallas bring them within a point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference currently occupied by the Whitecaps.
The home team came out strong as Jackson got the first attempt on goal but Jordan Harvey was able to get in the way of the shot and block it. Minutes later it was Brek Shea’s turn to come close as his shot from the left of the net went over the bar.
It looked as though FC Dallas was gifted a chance to open the scoring 15 minutes into the game when they awarded a controversial penalty after a foul was called on Martin Bonjour. Luckily for the visitors Brad Knighton came up big and was able to stretch out and deflect the shot from David Ferreira over the touchline. The unsuccessful penalty seemed to energize the Caps as both Thorrington and Harvey directed their shots just wide of the net.
In the final five minutes of the half the Whitecaps were helped by a post and another save by Knighton that kept the game scoreless. First it was a cross by Shea that found Ferreira alone in the box but the 2010 MVP nailed his shot off the post. Then a minute later Shea made his own attempt but Knighton was able to get his fingers on the ball deflecting it over the bar.
Coming out of the break it was the Caps that got the first real chance when Robson was able to find Miller streaking to the net. Defender Matt Hedges knocked Miller off the ball and to the ground which drew the rage of Martin Rennie on the sideline.
The Whitecaps continued their pressure as they buzzed around the box but all their work ended with Koffie’s weak attempt going wide of the net. A couple of minutes later Mattocks was sent in alone by Rochat but Hartman played it perfectly forcing the rookie wide and giving him little to shoot at.
With about 15 minutes to go FC Dallas started to establish control and get chances as Jackson’s attempt from distance was heading for the net before deflecting off Blas Perez and over the end line. Then off a counter it looked like the Caps would be stealing some points as Thorrington was robbed by Hartman after the veteran connected on a cross by Teibert but was unable to get it past the keeper.
The final five minutes and injury time belonged to FC Dallas as the Whitecaps did everything to hold onto the single point. There was a good non call penalty where Perez went down with no contact and then an offside call disallowed goal by Perez again. Another chance came four minutes after the 90 minutes concluded when Castillo’s found himself free in the box and sailed his shot over the bar.
All the pressure finally paid off for Dallas when a poor clearing attempt by the Caps reached de Guzman outside the box. The former TFC player and Canadian international connected perfectly with the ball and volleyed the shot past Knighton to give the home side a late lead in the match.
The loss for the Whitecaps extends their losing streak to five games, four of them on the road, which is something they were unable to do in last year’s disastrous season. Once again there was not enough going forward for the Whitecaps and the backline looked shaky in the final minutes of the game. The Whitecaps will return to home soil when they play the Colorado Rapids at BC Place next week and start a four game home stand.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
