A midweek match against one of the best teams in the Western Conference without the team’s best player, a patchwork midfield and only one natural centerback seemed like a recipe for disaster.
But the Vancouver Whitecaps used an inspired second half performance to beat the streaking FC Dallas 2-1 at BC Place and it was a deserved route after an improve performance.
There was a bit of fortune, to be sure. Ranko Veselinovic was hauled down in the box on the stroke of stoppage time after a poor bit of goalkeeping from Jimmy Maurer led to a scramble in front of the FC Dallas goal.