VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps continued their growing rivalry with FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon at BC Place. In what could potentially be an MLS playoff knockout round match, both teams wanted to walk away with three points and bragging rights. A first half brace from Sebastian Fernandez and a 10th clean sheet for David Ousted proved to be just what Vancouver needed as they beat FC Dallas 2-0 victory in front of 20,183 supporters. The Whitecaps currently trail FC Dallas by five points for the fourth spot in the MLS Western Conference standings. Both teams have three remaining matches this season. Whitecaps Manager, Carl Robinson shared his thoughts on the big win and defensive performance by his club when he spoke to the media.
“I thought counter-attacking wise we were excellent. The two or three opportunities we had we were very clinical in our play, obviously it led to two very good goals but the defensive aspect wasn’t good enough. I said to the guys at half we were too open, I had to address a few things and I did. Credit to the back four, especially in the second half, they defended properly and showed a lot of character out there. The game was won in the first half, but the game was managed fantastically well in the second half.”
Carl Robinson elected to go with the same starting eleven that played Real Salt Lake and earned a 2-1 win at home on September 27. Mauro Rosales health had been questionable coming into this fixture, but he was fit and ready to go. Vancouver needed his creativity and he did not disappoint. Pedro Morales lead the Whitecaps in a 4-4-2 formation, and Vancouver started with a striker pairing of Sebastian Fernandez, and Erik Hurtado.
Oscar Pareja decided to go with a 4-4-2 formation of his own. Whitecaps killer, Blas Perez was partnered with David Texiera. The underrated Victor Ulloa, and Michel anchored the midfield. The dynamic and creative Fabian Castillo missed this match due to a hamstring injury sustained on September 13 when FC Dallas defeated the Whitecaps 2-1.
The Opening 45
In the early moments of the match, Sebastian Fernandez had a wide open opportunity to give the home side an early lead. Russell Teibert played the ball ahead to Mauro Rosales, and the Argentine sent the ball to his left. Pedro Morales let the ball go, to a wide open Fernandez at the top of the FC Dallas box. The shot attempt was not there as Fernandez sailed his shot over the FC Dallas bar at the 8' minute mark.
Sebastian Fernandez was not deterred by his early missed chance. The Uruguayan quickly regained his confidence and calmly opened the scoring with a sublime header in the 14'. Erik Hurtado found Mauro Rosales on the right flank, and he delivered a terrific cross into the FC Dallas box. Fernandez rose up and headed the ball on target. Raul Fernandez was only able to get a piece of the ball as it found a home in the top corner of his net. Fernandez was thrilled with his two goals when he spoke to the media via a translator after the match.
“I was lucky. I saw the ball in the air and tried to get the header and score. My teammates have been supportive of me. It’s important for me and for everybody. This is a great team. We must keep going and play like we did today.”
The Whitecaps faithful had something to cheer about early on and it only got better when the Whitecaps doubled their lead thanks to a Sebastian Fernandez brace on 19'. Once again the vision and creativity of Mauro Rosales was on display as he fed a wide open Sebastian Fernandez breaking into the FC Dallas box on the left flank. Instead of waiting to draw his defender in for a foul or potential penalty. Fernandez dribbled towards the visiting net and blasted the ball past a helpless Raul Fernandez. For a player that hadn't scored since July 5, Sebastian Fernandez was playing like a man on a mission with something to prove.
FC Dallas was playing like a team that had already locked down an MLS playoff spot. The Whitecaps carried the play in the opening forty-five and had the superior scoring chances. Blas Perez looked like he had cut the deficit to one goal, but he was whistled for being in a offside position as he placed the ball past David Ousted. The Whitecaps keeper was not too happy with the Panamanian striker and he exchanged a few choice words with Blas Perez.
At the half the Whitecaps went into the interval with a 2-0 lead thanks to the lovely chemistry from Fernandez and Morales. Vancouver held a 52% - 48% possession advantage and a 3-0 advantage in shots on target. Oscar Pareja had something thinking to do as his team looked drastically slow to start the match.
At the end of the match Oscar Pareja and Whitecaps assistant coach Martyn Pert got into an exchanged and had to be separated at midfield. A video that surfaced following the match showed Pareja shoving Pert. Following the match, Pareja was asked what happened, he said, "Nothing happened." Not willing to discuss the events that unfolded after the pitch, the FC Dallas gaffer was more comfortable sharing his overall thoughts on the match, minus his skirmish.
"After we gave away the first goal, it was difficult. We had the initiative to put high pressure and go look for the game right from the first minute, we had a few chances to score that we could not take advantage of it and then Vancouver came up and took the game away with those two goals. After that, it was a different game. We tried to keep the initiative, but we didn’t have too many ideas today. Vancouver was happy with the goals they scored early in the game, and they held it well. I have to give them credit.”
The Second Half
The second half began with a substitution from FC Dallas. Calgary, Alberta's Tesho Akindele entered the match for Ryan Hollingshead. Oscar Pareja was looking to inject some offense and pace to an FC Dallas side that had been slow to react after the Whitecaps early brace. Both teams played at a slower pace in the second half as Vancouver did not want to give up a goal and FC Dallas did not want to give up a back-breaking third goal to Vancouver. The potential Canadian international, Akindele talked about the energy the Whitecaps brought.
“I think it was a tough game, they were obviously fighting for their lives for the season and to stay in the playoffs, so they brought a lot of energy. They caught us on two counterattacks, but other than that, I thought it was pretty even.”
Je-Vaughn Watson earned himself a yellow card in the 60' minute after a carless tackle on Jordan Harvey. Watson could have easily earned himself a red after Harvey was unnecessarily taken down. The Vancouver left-back stretched out his right leg before continuing on in the match. Still not pleased with the way his team was performing, Pareja made a second substitution in the 65'. Jair Benitez made his way onto the pitch for striker David Texeira.
To counter the changes FC Dallas made, Carl Robinson brought on Jamaican international Darren Mattocks. The Whitecaps second leading goal scorer this season has often been plagued with criticism from Whitecaps supporters when the team has struggled. Mattocks did well to keep up the tempo as his teammates around him looked to be fatigued in the latter stages of the match. Vancouver was content to control the game in the midfield and not allow FC Dallas to get on a counter attack for a break towards David Ousted's net.
FC Dallas was not able to mount much of a strong attacking presence against the Whitecaps. Blas Perez was contained and he did not have any help around him. When the red clad visitors did manage to get a chance to score they wildly missed hitting the target. FC Dallas did not play their best road match and subsequently they did not deserve to leave BC Place with any points. The Whitecaps fast start set the tone and that's why they earned all three points.
A disappointed Matt Hedges talked about the slow start his team got off to and how the early deficit sunk FC Dallas.
“Disappointing. We came out soft and slow, gave up two goals, and we never really recovered. I think we definitely started to play better as the game went on, but by that point, you’re 2-0 down, and they can control the match by sitting there and doing whatever they want. It’s disappointing.”
Man of the Match
Sebastian Fernández
He made all the difference as the Whitecaps striker was simply too much for FC Dallas to handle. Seba as his teammates call him, could have easily scored three or four goals in the first half alone. He was constantly left unmarked and left to do as he pleased. FC Dallas could not contain him, and they did not look interested in getting near him. Fernandez to his credit finally decided to shoot. He has often been criticized for not taking his chances and passing up terrific scoring opportunities. Today he shot when he should have and he was a big reason why Vancouver prevailed.
Honourable mention
Mauro Rosales was fantastic for all 67' minutes he was on the pitch. His passes were crisp, and his ability to read the play before deciding what his options are proved to be too much for FC Dallas. Mauro Rosales has been a great addition for the Whitecaps and his ability to pick out teammates with crosses, through balls, and back heels is just what Vancouver needs to jump-start and up and down offense. The chemistry between Fernandez and Rosales was on full display and it was simply not to be contained by FC Dallas. Rosales was the straw that stirred Vancouver to a 2-0 victory.
“I enjoyed the match. It’s part of the work that we are doing with the guys. We always talk about playing minutes with them and training every day. Knowing each other makes it much easier. As I get more minutes with them, I get much better. This is what I want, to help the team and be in the position to rise and help the team on any level.”
Vancouver Whitecaps Line-up
David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien, Kendall Waston, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Russell Teibert Mauro Rosales, Pedro Morales(C), Sebastian Fernandez; Erik Hurtado. (4-4-2)
FC Dallas Starting XI
Raul Fernandez; Moises Hernandez, Matt Hedges(C), Zach Loyd, Je-Vaughn Watson; Andres Escobar, Michel, Victor Ulloa, Ryan Hollingshead; David Texeira, Blas Perez. (4-4-2)ez
Notes: Whitecaps striker Omar Salgado has joined Liga MX Side Tigres UANL on a 12-day trial from October 6 - 17
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