FRISCO, TEXAS — Vancouver is coming off of a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, thanks to goalscorers Alessandro Schöph and Ali Ahmed. Ahmed, who was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following his late-game goal, scored his first of the season in the contest.
Dallas, on the other hand, can’t seem to shake a 2-1 scoreline, having been on both the winning and losing side of it, having lost most recently to the New York Red Bulls. In fact, FCD has not led at the start of any game thus far, having conceded goals first in each one of their past three.
“What we want is always to lead… and be the team that hits first, and so far we aren’t doing well,” Head Coach Nico Estévez said.
But Dallas has been able to respond each time, with goals from players like Asier Illarramendi, Dante Sealy, Petar Musa and Jesús Ferreira.
That connection between Musa and Ferreira is one that has been highly anticipated, both by fans and coaches. And while Estévez is excited for their partnership, he said he needs more than two players, looking to others like Paul Arriola to step up and make more of an impact on the field.
Dallas has won, drawn and lost in their last three meetings with Vancouver.
History favors Dallas, with the all-time series sitting at 12-9-8, but history also speaks on behalf of Vancouver’s Brian White and Ryan Gauld, a pairing that combined for 26 goals and 17 assists last season for the Whitecaps. Also be on the lookout for their newest addition in Damir Kreilach: he’s already scored twice against FC Dallas in his career.
They are a team that is known for making their opponents play vertical and direct, according to Estévez, and the Whitecaps are looking to win their second in a row, while FCD looks to not lose their third-straight.
So, will a game back home put them back in the win column? Find out this Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.
