I didn't get a chance to see many games live this weekend in MLS, so I've been trying to play catch up with Match Day Live. The first match I went for was Vancouver vs. Dallas because Vancouver is usually pretty entertaining and I wanted to see if FC Dallas could bounce back after the Portland match.
Dallas had good possession in the opening minutes, and had some threatening ball in the Whitecaps 18. It wasn't really until about the 4th or 5th minute that Vancouver got their feet under them. They started to get more and more possession. There was another trend in play that arose with this. The more Vancouver got possession, the more Dallas players hit the floor. It made the game feel very disjointed and really frustrated any attempt Vancouver made at establishing a rhythm.
Vancouver got their chances though. The pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Rochat put a gorgeous header on a cross, found the back of the net, and put the Whitecaps up 1-0.
Things got turned on their heads just a couple of minutes later when Rochat handled the ball in his own 18 and FC Dallas was awarded a PK. Reigning MLS MVP David Ferreira stepped up to take the kick. Here's where things went wrong for Dallas. Ferreira ran up to the ball, succeeded in sending Jay Nolly the wrong way, then proceeded to shank the penalty kick wide. Following that horrible display, Vancouver controlled the rest of the first 45 minutes and we went to the half with Whitecaps up 1-0.
The first bit of the second half was dominated by one incident. In the 50th minute, Ferreira went down after a seemingly harmless challenge from Vancouver defender Jonathan Leathers. Leathers wasn't even given a foul, but damage was done. The MVP was stretchered off, and later reports revealed a fractured ankle. He became the second high profile casualty of the MLS weekend, along with Steve Zakuani. However, George John put the ensuing corner kick into the back of the net to equalize.
Vancouver had a few chances late to take the lead. Hartman saved a nice shot from Camilo in the 67th, and Dallas managed to clear a nice Whitecaps set piece in the 71st. They got one more chance in the 78th with a Rochat free kick, but he put it over the bar. To make matters worse, Hassli got a yellow card in the 80th minute, which means he will miss their next match.
In the 83rd minute, Dallas put the game away as Avila, who had come on to replace Ferreira, hit a shot in at the far post and gave FC Dallas all three points by virtue of a 1-2 win.
The biggest talking point out of this has been the Ferreira injury. Leathers' tackle was nowhere near the horrid tackle that Mullan put on Zakuani. I wonder if that horrid turf at Empire Field was a factor. At any rate, the MVP is expected to miss at least three months.
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