Whitecaps Held Goalless by Maurer, FCD

Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 FC Dallas

VANCOUVER, BC–Making his first start of the season, FC Dallas keeper Jimmy Maurer made quite a first impression as he made five saves in a goalless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Vancouver fall to sixth with the draw while Dallas move to within two points of the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with six matches to play.

Alessandro Schopf had the first great chance in the 19th minute as his shot curled off the post. Maurer, starting place of Maarten Paes, made three saves in quick succession in the first half denying Mathias Laborda, then Sebastian Berhalter, and Ryan Raposo. The Whitecaps also had a headed shot go off the bar.

FC Dallas had their chances. Just before halftime, after an errant clearance, Petar Musa had a chance that Yohei Takaoka barely parried away and Tsiki Ntsabeleng was just unable to reach for a tap-in. Paul Arriola shot one off the post in the 66th minute. Musa put in the rebound, but was offside on the play and the goal disallowed.

Maurer made his best save just before the end of the match denying Deiber Caicedo from point blank range as FC Dallas netted their 8th point away from home (1-8-5).

FCD gets a bye week before traveling to Real Salt Lake on September 18th (8:30pm CT, Apple TV). Vancouver remain home next Saturday to take on bottom-placed San Jose (7:30pm PT).

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos from the evening at BC Place, please click on the link to his gallery.