Maxime Crépeau makes dramatic penalty kick save to preserve crucial win
VANCOUVER, BC – With the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs race heating up, Vancouver Whitecaps FC captured a crucial three points by defeating fellow Western Conference side FC Dallas by a score of 1-0 at BC Place thanks to Brian White’s sixth goal of the season and an incredible late penalty kick save from goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
The Blue and White had the first big chance of the game as Ryan Gauld whipped in an early corner to a wide open Cristian Dájome but the Colombian couldn’t head the ball past FC Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, who made a big save to keep the score at 0-0.
The ‘Caps early pressure would pay off in the 20th minute, with Brian White heading home his sixth goal of the season off a curled cross into the box from Russell Teibert.
In the 40th minute, the ‘Caps came close to doubling the lead as Lucas Cavallini headed the ball towards goal, forcing another save out of Maurer.
Just one minute later, the Blue and White once again almost found their second goal on the night as Dajome found White at the top of the six-yard box but he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Nevertheless, the ‘Caps would go into break with a 1-0 lead.
Neither team would create many clear-cut goalscoring in the second half until the 78th minute, with Crépeau being forced into a save by Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi.
Fast forward to the third minute of stoppage time, FC Dallas were awarded a spot kick.
Substitute Franco Jara stepped up to take the penalty but Crépeau made an incredible save to his right to deny the striker from tying the match.
The ‘Caps were able to hold on in the last minutes of the match to capture a crucial three points in their quest to secure a spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Blue and White will now turn their focus towards a mid-week clash with another Texas foe, as they travel to face Houston Dynamo FC at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday, September 29. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on TSN1 and AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 5 p.m. PT.
MATCH NOTES
In the 11th of play, Whitecaps FC took a moment to remember one of the club’s very first Kid Captains, Danielle Hoult.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Maxime Crépeau
Referee: Kevin Stott
Scoring Summary
20′ – VAN – Brian White (Russell Teibert)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 40.9% – DAL 59.1%
Shots: VAN 19 – DAL 16
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – DAL 7
Saves: VAN 7 – DAL 4
Fouls: VAN 9 – DAL 14
Offsides: VAN 2 – DAL 1
Corners: VAN 7 – DAL 4
Cautions
52′ – VAN – Bruno Gaspar
58′ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini
82′ – DAL – Ema Twumasi
90’+1 – DAL – Bryan Acosta
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 15.Andy Rose, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 6.Bruno Gaspar (23.Javain Brown 61′), 31.Russell Teibert ©, 17.Leonard Owusu (19.Janio Bikel 84′), 11.Cristian Dájome (32.Patrick Metcalfe 76′); 25.Ryan Gauld; 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 83′), 9.Lucas Cavallini (7.Déiber Caicedo 62′)
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 2.Marcus Godinho, 27.Ryan Raposo, 55.Michael Baldisimo
FC Dallas
20.Jimmy Maurer; 32.Justin Che (3.José Antonio Martínez 61′), 4.Bressan, 24.Matt Hedges ©, 22.Ema Twumasi (29.Franco Jara 85′); 5.Facundo Quignon (10.Andrés Ricaurte 76′), 8.Bryan Acosta; 7.Jáder Obrian, 9.Jesús Ferreira, 19.Paxton Pomykal (11.Szabolcs Schön 61′); 16.Ricardo Pepi
Substitutes not used
30.Kyle Zobeck, 2.Edwin Munjoma, 6.Edwin Cerrillo, 14.Nkosi Tafari, 18.Brandon Servania
