VANCOUVER, B.C - Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to action following the international break with a mouth-watering fixture against FC Dallas. Carl Robinson's side were looking to cap off a less than stellar week of off the pitch police invovled incidents, with a win. Vancouver and FC Dallas played to a 1-1 draw in front of 22,120 spectators.
Maximiliano Urruti scored early in the second half, and Cristian Techera answered with a deadly free kick. Vancouver has a 6-6-2 record on the season, and FC Dallas improves to 6-3-6 record.
Manager Carl Robinson, shared his thoughts on the draw following the match.
"I just said to the guys in there, it has been a very difficult week, but we had a game of football today, to win, to try to climb up that table. I think the boys responded very well after going a goal down. Credit to them, it’s a real big point for us against a good team. Sometimes you forget, they've won the conference for the last two years in a row. So we knew it would be a tough test with the players we had missing, but great response, especially after going a goal down."
The Opening 45
Brek Shea was a late addition to Carl Robinson's lineup. The former FC Dallas midfielder raced from a B.C. Women's Hospital after his wife Carling, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Zepplin Shea at 4:40 p.m.
"I was at the hospital all day," said Shea. "I was just hoping that my kid came before I had to leave for the game. Luckily he came within 30 minutes before I had to leave and be here. It was a great day to have my first son, second kid, and everyone was healthy. I was happy to be part of the game."
Shea found himself in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Vancouver was without the services of Kendall Waston, and Christian Bolanos who both sustained injuries while on national team duty with Costa Rica.
Oscar Pareja's team was playing their third match in eight days. His makeshift lineup featured Canadian international, Tesho Akindele who made his 100th MLS regular season appearance. Max Urruti, Michael Barrios, and Kellyn Acosta started, while Mauro Diaz came on in the second half.
It was quite a tentative opening forty-five as both teams tried to figure each other out. Brek Shea was the liveliest of players on the pitch. He had an extra hop in his step, and was creating chances for himself, and his teammates.
Neither team generated many scoring chances. FC Dallas had a slightly higher possession of 53% - 47%, but the match awaited a goal, and some quality excitement.
The Second Half
The scoreless deadlock did not last long, FC Dallas quickly got on the score-sheet with a goal in the 52' minute. Maximilliano Urruti raced into the Vancouver box and slotted the ball past David Ousted to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
Vancouver was pressing and looking for an equalizer. The Caps capitalized with a show of brilliance from 'El Bicho'. Cristian Techera delivered a sublime free kick over the FC Dallas wall and behind Jesse Gonzalez. The goalkeeper had no chance.
Momentum quickly swung back to Whitecaps FC as they looked to add another goal, and steal three valuable western conference points. Whitecaps FC's Bernie Ibini made his MLS debut in the 84' minute. Vancouver's deadline day acquisition came on for Brek Shea, and looked to spark an offence in search for a massive winning goal.
Vancouver and FC Dallas took a while to get things going, but they provided an entertaining second half, which featured a goal for each side. The Caps will be happy to have picked up a point, while FC Dallas is left to wonder three possible points lost.
Man of the Match
Cristian Techera
When Vancouver Whitecaps FC needed someone to step up and have a bug influence on the match, Cristian Techera did just that with his 4th MLS goal of the season. 'The Bug' has had a bounce back sophomore season, and that included his terrific second half free kick that helped Vancouver secure an all important point vs FC Dallas.
"I've said it already before that the team is doing well this season and one goal gives you confidence for another and makes you a bit more comfortable. That’s good too because it also gives confidence to the coach and to teammates."
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted(C); Jordan Harvey, Andrew Jacobson, Tim Parker Jake Nerwinski; Matias Laba; Brek Shea 84 (Bernie Ibini), Tony Tchani, Russell Teibert, 59 (Alphonso Davies); Cristian Techera; Fredy Montero. 4-1-4-1.
FC Dallas Starting XI: Jesse Gonzalez; Atiba Harris, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges(C), Hernan Grana; Carlos Gruezo, Kellyn Acosta; Roland Lamah, 68 (Mauro Diaz), Tesho Akindele, 87 (Victor Ulloa); Maximilliano Urruti, Michael Barrios, 87 (Ryan Hollingshead). 4-4-2.
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