Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Whitecaps Tie FC Dallas 0-0, Clinch MIS Playoff Spot For Second Straight Season

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Oct, 2015 10:12 AM
    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps limped into the playoffs on Wednesday night — both on the field and in the standings.
     
    David Ousted made a couple of big saves in an uninspired 0-0 draw with FC Dallas as the Whitecaps clinched a spot in Major League Soccer's post-season for the second straight year while also losing two more key players to injury.
     
    "I'm happy we're in the playoffs," said Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson. "Performance, I think we need to be better. We can be better."
     
    The Whitecaps were without Pedro Morales and Nicolas Mezquida, and they will likely be joined on the shelf by fellow midfielders Cristian Techera (hamstring) and Mauro Rosales (groin) after both had to be subbed off in the second half.
     
    "It's tough right now," said Ousted. "A lot of people are dropping,"
     
    The injury situation is so bad that Robinson jokingly asked a local reporter if he would be willing to suit up next game.
     
    "We're down to the bare bones," said Robinson. "But we'll deal with it."
     
    Vancouver (15-12-5, 50 points) could have moved into top spot in the Western Conference with a victory in the first game of a crucial home-and-home series with Dallas (15-10-6, 51 points), which hosts the return match on Oct. 14.
     
    With the point, Dallas tied the Los Angeles Galaxy atop the West on points with a game in hand.
     
    Vancouver, which has only two wins in the league since the middle of August, plays just once more after next week — at home against the Houston Dynamo on Oct. 25.
     
    The top two teams in each conference get byes to the second round of the playoffs, while No. 3 plays No. 6 and No. 4 plays No. 5 in single elimination games, meaning that getting into the top two makes the road a lot easier.
     
    "We're in the playoffs, but we're disappointed," said Ousted, who was at fault for San Jose's goal in a 1-1 tie with the Earthquakes on Saturday. "There's still more to come from us and we need to find that these last couple of games."
     
    Looking to break down a Dallas team content to sit back, Vancouver midfielder Kekuta Manneh tested Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez with a shot from distance in the 48th minute before Rosales dragged a shot wide moments later.
     
    Dallas forward David Texeira had a great chance in the 64th, but Ousted made a terrific diving save.
     
    Vancouver had a golden opportunity to grab the lead in the 74th minute, but Techera's heavy touch took him out of position before the midfielder fired weak and wide.
     
    Techera and Morales were replaced 11 minutes apart for their injuries, with Robinson throwing on Darren Mattocks and Robert Earnshaw in an attempt to snag all three points.
     
    But it was the visitors who had the best chance to win it when substitute Blaz Perez's shot in the 90th minute just slipped wide.
     
    Apart from the injuries, the Whitecaps were missing half their regular starting backline with Kendall Waston away on international duty and Steven Beitashour suspended for yellow card accumulation.
     
    Vancouver had a couple of chances in the first 15 minutes off two headers from Octavio Rivero, with the second looping effort landing on top of the crossbar and going out for a goal kick.
     
    Ousted stopped Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz in the 20th before having to make another big save off on-rushing defender Ryan Hollingshead four minutes later.
     
    "We know we need to play better," said Robinson. "We're going to try and hit form in the last two games with a smile on our face."
     
    Notes: Vancouver was also minus three Canadian youngsters who could have figured into selection, but were instead away with the national team — defender Sam Adekugbe, and midfielders Kianz Froese and Marco Bustos. ... Attendance was 19,339.

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    Ontario College Students Aiming To Make Puck For Blind Hockey Players

    Ontario College Students Aiming To Make Puck For Blind Hockey Players
    A pair of Ontario college students is facing a tough crowd as they try to design an audible hockey puck that can be used by visually impaired players.

    Ontario College Students Aiming To Make Puck For Blind Hockey Players

    In A First, Kumar Nambiar IndianAamerican Student Baseball Player To Be Honoured

    In A First, Kumar Nambiar IndianAamerican Student Baseball Player To Be Honoured
    A rising baseball player Kumar Nambiar from Westchester county will be the first Indian-American student athlete to be honoured as the "New York State Player of the Year," media reported on Saturday.

    In A First, Kumar Nambiar IndianAamerican Student Baseball Player To Be Honoured

    Indian Swimmers Disappoint At World Meet

    Indian Swimmers Disappoint At World Meet
    Indian swimmers failed to qualify for the semi-finals and final of the three events they took part in the World Swimming Championships here on Sunday.

    Indian Swimmers Disappoint At World Meet

    Vancouver Whitecaps Visit Seattle Sounders To Kick Off Busy August

    Vancouver Whitecaps Visit Seattle Sounders To Kick Off Busy August
    Robinson's Vancouver Whitecaps visit their biggest rivals in Seattle on Saturday in Major League Soccer action before hosting the Sounders on Wednesday in both clubs' CONCACAF Champions League group stage opener.

    Vancouver Whitecaps Visit Seattle Sounders To Kick Off Busy August

    Vancouver Canucks Acquire Brandon Sutter In Trade With Penguins

    Vancouver Canucks Acquire Brandon Sutter In Trade With Penguins
    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Brandon Sutter and a third-round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

    Vancouver Canucks Acquire Brandon Sutter In Trade With Penguins

    Pan Am Athletes Attribute Success To Indian-Descent Buddhist Guru

    Pan Am Athletes Attribute Success To Indian-Descent Buddhist Guru
    Most of the athletes who participated in the Pan Am Games in Toronto that concluded on July 26 have thanked a spiritual leader of Indian-descent for counselling which helped them bring laurels to their respective countries

    Pan Am Athletes Attribute Success To Indian-Descent Buddhist Guru