VANCOUVER, B.C. - Whitecaps FC resumed their hectic schedule as they headed down to the Lone Star State to take on FC Dallas in the mid-afternoon Texas heat. It's becoming a trend, but Whitecaps FC scored a late stoppage time goal to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.
A Kei Kamara stoppage time penalty in the 100th minute made sure Vancouver earned a valuable road result in a match that looked to be done and dusted. A crowd of 13,907 spectators went home disappointed as FC Dallas blew a 2-0 lead and settled for a draw.
"It was a tough one." Kamara explained post-match. "Tough going down two goals, but that's what they say, ‘don't give up.’ We had a great sub with Anthony (Blondell) coming in making two great plays to get us back into the game, but tough game and we're happy to go away with one point."
Reggie with the Cannon scored his first career MLS goal and Max Urruti scored his 5th of the season. Whitecaps FC got a late life line after an own goal from Maynor Figueroa, and Kamara's team leading 4th of the season was the equalizing dagger at the death.
"It was very eventful, especially towards the end." Carl Robinson told reporters post-match. "We've got to focus on our performance. We were two-nil down in a very difficult place, in warm weather against a really good team and we managed to claw our way back. Lots of positives, a gutsy performance. I think we got what we deserved in the end, if I'm being totally honest, but we did make it difficult for ourselves."
FC Dallas improve to 4-1-2 on the season, and Whitecaps FC hold down a 4-5-4 record.
Moments of the Match
FC Dallas had a terrific early scoring opportunity as they looked to catch Whitecaps FC with an early strike. Max Urruti sent a cross into the Vancouver box that found a streaking Kellyn Acosta. The U.S. international sent a dangerous header that flew just over the crossbar.
Whitecaps FC had a prime scoring opportunity of their own in the 29' minute just before both teams took a hydration break. Felipe lined up for a free kick on the corner edge of the FC Dallas box. Felipe's curling attempt nearly found a home inside the far post.
The home-side opened the scoring in the 40' minute thanks to a sublime cracker from 19 year-old Reggie Cannon. The Chicago native dribbled across the Vancouver box and let go a top corner rocket. Brian Rowe had no chance as FC Dallas jumped out ahead 1-0.
"It felt great at the moment, but honestly doesn’t matter unless we get three points. At the end of the day, we’re not going to blame the federation and the refs for any missed calls or anything like that. At the end of the day, we’re responsible for what happened. We have to know how to shut out games, end them. Stupid mistakes, myself included. We just have to learn how to (close out) games."
Whitecaps FC looked to have scored in the 55' minute to tie the match. Brek Shea's cross deflected high in the air. Kei Kamara rushed to out leap Mauer to the loose ball. Kamara headed the ball into the vacated FC Dallas net. However, referee Ted Unkel whistled for a foul against Kamara for colliding with the FC Dallas keeper. The goal was called off.
There was no mistaking the next goal as FC Dallas doubled their lead thanks to a Max Urruti tally in the 78' minute. Santiago Mosquera played in the former Portland Timbers striker. Urruti sent his shot through the legs of Kendall Waston and across goal.
It looked as if that would put the match to bed for FC Dallas, but moments later Whitecaps FC were given a gift of a goal in the 81' minute. Anthony Blondell's touch-line pass was re-directed into the FC Dallas net off the leg of centre-back Maynor Figueroa.
Seven minutes of stoppage time were given and Vancouver needed every last second as they were awarded a penalty in the 97' minute. In a mad scramble before the final whistle, Jimmy Mauer knocked Blondell over with a punch to the face. Blondell crumpled to the ground as his header missed the net.
Kamara stepped up in the clutch and converted a penalty in the 100th minute. Mauer guessed correctly and dove to his right, but could only get his hand to the ball. FC Dallas sputtered away what should have been three points at home. Vancouver earned a result in a match they only had one shot on target. It wasn't pretty, but a point, is a point.
Man of the Match
Anthony Blondell came on in the 68' minute and played an instrumental part in both Whitecaps FC goals. Blondell ran the flank and centered the ball into the path of Maynor Figueroa who helped deposit it into his own net. Blondell took one for the team as he was punched in the face in stoppage time. He earned Vancouver a penalty and the rest is history. Blondell was a super sub off the bench.
"He was excellent." Robinson said, of Blondell's performance. "The guys in the locker room mentioned him specifically because when you're a sub, it's easy to sulk or be disappointed you don't start the game, but subs are there to come on and make a difference and he certainly did that. He should have scored earlier. He got a chance when the ball dropped for him and he took too long to hit the ball, but he never gave up. He worked the off side line. He got in-around the back. He created the own goal, and obviously the penalty decision was on him, as well."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: Brian Rowe; Brett Levis, 74 (Cristian Techera), Jose Aja, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski; Brek Shea, 68 (Anthony Blondell), Felipe, Russell Teibert, Bernie Ibini, 61 (Alphonso Davies); Kei Kamara, Yordy Reyna. 4-4-2
FC Dallas Starting XI: Jimmy Mauer; Anton Nedyalkov, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges(C), Reggie Cannon; Carlos Gruezo, Kellyn Acosta, 45 (Jacori Hayes); Roland Lamah, 68 (Michael Barrios), Mauro Diaz, 85 (Ryan Hollingshead), Santiago Mosquera, Max Urruti; 4-2-3-1
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