FC DALLAS 2 – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 1: ‘Caps now look ahead to Seattle at BC Place on Saturday

FRISCO, Texas – Vancouver Whitecaps FC scored first, but fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against FC Dallas on Wednesday evening at Toyota Stadium. The ‘Caps now turn their attention to a big Cascadia Cup battle with rivals Seattle Sounders FC in front of their home fans at BC Place on Saturday.

Dallas have been tough to beat at home, not conceding more than one goal at their venue since Whitecaps FC beat them 2-0 last June. After holding the home side at bay early on, it was the ‘Caps who would open the scoring in the 23rd minute. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes’ pass out of the back was intercepted by Pedro Vite, and the midfielder’s quick thinking and one-time finish gave Whitecaps FC a 1-0 advantage.

FC Dallas would tie the match later on in the first half. Jáder Obrian’s pass in the midfield connected to forward Jesús Ferreira, as his strike found the back of the net in the 37th minute.

The ‘Caps were much better in the second half, showing the strong possession game that has led them early on this season. However an error at the back would give FC Dallas the lead, as Ferreira capitalized in the 54th minute for a 2-1 advantage.

The visiting ‘Caps would not give up, having a case for a penalty on Alessandro Schöpf that was not given, and a pair of headers from Brian White and substitute Simon Becher that came close to equalizing.

Another goal would not come, however, as the ‘Caps shift gears to protecting home field.

Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place as they host Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC this coming Saturday, May 20 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Pedro Vite
Attendance: 15,890
Referee: Jon Freemon

Scoring Summary
23’ – VAN – Pedro Vite
37’ – DAL – Jesús Ferreira (Jáder Obrian)
54’ – DAL – Jesús Ferreira (Tsiki Ntsabeleng)

Statistics
Possession: DAL 51.5% – VAN 48.5%
Shots: DAL 15 – VAN 7
Shots on Goal: DAL 3 – VAN 4
Saves: DAL 3 – VAN 1
Fouls: DAL 9 – VAN 12
Offsides: DAL 2 – VAN 3
Corners: DAL 5 – VAN 2

Cautions
35’ – VAN – Mathías Laborda
75’ – DAL – Edwin Cerrillo

FC Dallas
30.Maarten Paes; 22.Ema Twumasi, 17.Nkosi Tafari, 3.José Martínez, 4.Marco Farfan; 16.Tsiki Ntsabeleng (25.Sebastien Ibeagha 70’) , 5.Facundo Quignon, 6.Edwin Cerrillo; 8.Jáder Obrian, 10.Jesús Ferreira (29.Sam Junqua 82’), 20.Alan Velasco (77.Bernard Kamungo 66’)

Substitutes not used
1.Jimmy Maurer, 9.Jesús Jiménez, 21.José Mulato, 24.Amet Korça, 27.Herbert Endeley, 32.Nolan Norris

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 2.Mathías Laborda, 23.Javain Brown, 4.Ranko Veselinović © (7.Déiber Caicedo 79’), 27.Ryan Raposo (14.Luís Martins 67’); 19.Julian Gressel, 20.Andrés Cubas, 8. Alessandro Schöpf; 45.Pedro Vite, 9.Sergio Córdova (29.Simon Becher 67’); 24.Brian White

Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 12.Karifa Yao, 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 22.Ali Ahmed, 26.J.C. Ngando, 31.Russell Teibert