Whitecaps gain advantage over FC Dallas

Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 FC Dallas (Whitecaps lead series 1-0)

VANCOUVER, BC–Before a record MLS-era playoff crowd of 32,066, Vancouver Whitecaps defeated FC Dallas, 3-0, in the first game of a Best-of-Three First Round series.

The first half was all Whitecaps to the point where expected goals were 2.63 for the Whitecaps to 0.00 for FC Dallas. Despite that, it seemed that the hosts would not be able to get one past Michael Collodi and the FCD defense. That was, until the 43rd minute when Daniel Rios headed in Ali Ahmed’s cross into the box.

The Whitecaps would add to their lead at the hour mark from the penalty spot. Emmanuel Sabbi was tripped inside the box and Thomas Müller would convert the spot kick. It was his sixth goal from the penalty spot since arriving in Vancouver.

Kenji Cabrera would conclude the scoring in the 83rd minute putting in a low cross from Rayan Elloumi. FC Dallas’s offense from expected goals to shots for the whole night would be zero. Vancouver had an xG of 4.3, 22 total shots, and ten on target.

It was a dominant display from start to finish for the Whitecaps and they’ll look to advance to the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday at Toyota Stadium against FC Dallas in Game Two. Kickoff is at 6:30pm PT/8:30pm CT on Apple TV.

Photos by Gerrit te Hennepe

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