Whitecaps Overtaken At Empire Field Against FC Dallas

As I was pondering the idea of writing a pre-match preview of the Whitecaps's match against FC Dallas, a lone piece of reasoning slipped into my usually empty mind. This match against FC Dallas was important, very important. While I was optimistically predicting a 3-1 victory for the Whitecaps before the match, instead the ended 2-1 for FC Dallas. And with this third loss of the MLS season, maybe it's time to think of the Caps's latest matches as a crisis, and not an unlucky run.

Maybe it's my persistent optimism, but I'm fairly convinced that there are some good things to take from the 2-1 defeat. Alain Rochat's strong performance and Chiumiento's brilliance, particularly in the first half, were what truly stuck out in an otherwise disappointing day. In fact, it was Chiumiento's whipped cross which provided Rochat with the perfect opportunity to flick into the top corner of Dallas's goal. A great goal scored after about 20 minutes of strong play from the Whitecaps.

I say "strong play", that doesn't mean that FC Dallas weren't trying. In fact, the Texan team had produced a number of very dangerous chances, and when they earned a penalty kick for a stray handball in the box by Rochat it seemed like they would get a chance to deservedly equalize. Up stepped their danger-man Ferreira, and with all the confidence in the world he put it wide of Nolly's right post. The first half finished off with a great chance for FCD by Chavez, but an equally well created one for the Caps by Camilo.

The second half started, and just about five minutes in Ferreira suffered a well-timed tackle by Leathers, leaving him on the ground writhing in pain. While at first it looked like just some run-of-the-mill bad acting by Ferreira, after a while it became apparent that he was in serious pain. As he was stretchered off for treatment, FC Dallas took the corner Ferreira had earned, and scored from it. Classic distraction by the Whitecaps, who let George John power right through the center of the box and head home a near post flick.

Ferreira wasn't faking his injury. He had to be substituted by Avila, ending a disappointing half by the MLS Player of the Year. But it was going to be an even more disappointing half from the Whitecaps, a weak and tired team which FC Dallas had few problems tearing apart. Chiumiento disappeared, Camilo wasn't receiving any service and Hassli eventually got a yellow card that will rule him out of the next MLS match against Columbus Crew. It was not worth watching. FC Dallas on the other hand deserved to be ahead, and the substitute Avila found the winner with a low shot across Nolly into the bottom corner.

The second half was probably the worst 45 minutes I've seen the Whitecaps play. While I was yelling at Teitur Thordarson (who was on the TV) to give Omar Salgado 20 minutes to work his magic, instead TT decided to listen to me with five minutes to go, when the game was dead and Hassli had received a yellow card. In the end, the team was a tired bunch which was up against a side which counter-attacked well.

Looking at the seven matches the Whitecaps have played in the MLS this season, there's only one win. No points have been conquered away from home, and in the past five matches the Caps have only taken three out of a possible 15 points. None of this is good. Right now, the 4-2 opening day victory over Toronto FC seems like a far distant memory which is unable to reproduce itself.

Hopefully results will improve this Tuesday when then Whitecaps travel to the Stade Saputo to face the Montreal Impact in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. A win in Montreal could spur the Whitecaps to stealing a point (or maybe three) when they travel to Columbus Ohio to face "The Crew".