Post Match: Vancouver Whitecaps vs F.C Dallas

The Vancouver Whitecaps played to a 2-2 draw with F.C Dallas in a game that was at times mind numbingly dull and at other times thrilling. At the end of the day the Whitecaps can be pleased that they managed a point as they were hugely outshot.

Marc Dos Santos returned to a 3-5-2 and handed a pro debut to Brendan McDonough.

The opening 20 minutes was end to end stuff with both teams creating good chances though the match seemed disjointed. At times it resembled a pickup 7 a side game.

The first chance of the game fell to Fredy Montero who’s close range shot was somehow caught by Jesse Gonzalez between his legs. After the early scare Dallas began to take over the game, playing a number of dangerous balls into the box and with Badji forcing a good save from MacMath after an error while playing out of the back. MacMath made another good dave from the top of the D against Paxton Pomykal on the 15 minute mark.

But the Whitecaps came back into the game. First Reyna and Adnan won corners with shots that were deflected wide and Fredy Montero didn’t get good connection on a very good chance after a pinch by Scott Sutter.

Not to be deterred, FC Dallas tested MacMath from range through Servania and Jon Erice made a goal line clearance on the ensuing corner.

in the 35th minute Dallas continued to pile on the pressure as Jesus Ferreira struck the crossbar. in first half stoppage time MacMath made another long range save.

At the start of the second half Felipe put in a dangerous ball which Montero, seemingly determined to disprove my “he’s actually good he just needs more chances” thesis, somehow was unable to make contact with.

Montero would be made to pay for that miss as in the 55th minute Dallas took the lead through Ferreira after Barrios was played in behind and squared the ball to him. There was some suspicion of offside but the ever reliable MLS VAR officials assured us it was not. Straight off the kickoff Ferreira almost managed a brace but MacMath made a good save diving to his right. The reprieve was short-lived though as Ryan Hollingshead’s shot deflected past MacMath to make it 2-0 for F.C Dallas.

Lucas Venuto came in for McDonough in the 65th minute and the team switched back to a 4-3-3.

in the 67th minute Barrios cut inside dangerously and hit a shot just outside the post. In the 70th minute MacMath was called upon again as Dominique Badji stripped Scott Sutter of the ball but his shot was right at the Caps’ goalkeeper.

Ali Adnan created a bit of a half chance for himself through a 1-2 with Venuto but Gonzalez kept it out. It looked as though there was no way through for the Whitecaps which was why the double swap of taking out Felipe and Sutter for Brett Levis and Jake Nerwinski in the 76th minute seemed so strange. Honestly it still seems kind of strange. But it didn’t matter because It was the other substitute, Lucas Venuto who made a difference as he received a Jon Erice pass at the top of the 18 yard box and played it off to Yordy Reyna who bent it into the top corner to bring the ‘Caps within 1 with 10 minutes to go. Deep into stoppage time it was Venuto again who received the ball from Andy Rose, after the defender stepped up to make a tackle, ran at the defence and ripped a shot past Gonzalez to tie the game.

The game finished with a bizarre incident in which Ali Adnan was booked for dissent and then sprayed water in the direction of Dallas fans. Not quite sure what was going on there but the Whitecaps will be happy to take a point from that one.

the late comeback feels good but the Whitecaps were incredibly lucky to get a point out of this one. Dallas more than doubles Vancouver in shots and shots on target. Dallas gad 2.0 xG and Vancouver only had 0.9. The ‘Caps did manage 50% possession which is good but without Doneil Henry the backline is far too easy to get through.