Ali Adnan sliced through two defenders to score on a stunning solo effort, Lucas Venuto finished off a well-worked team goal to double the lead and the Vancouver Whitecaps held on for a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday at BC Place.
After his first MLS goal, Adnan was forced off three minutes before the break with a groin injury, the only sour note as Vancouver wrapped a stretch of five matches in 16 days with eight points. 'Caps 19-year-old Theo Bair made his MLS debut when he entered in the 71st minute.
Dominique Badji pulled a goal back late for the visitors only moments after Venuto missed a chance on the other end to seal it for Vancouver. Dallas led 20-7 in shots but still fell to their fourth loss during a six-match winless skid.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Coming at the end of a five-match, 16-day stretch, this might have been the Whitecaps' most important victory to date under coach Marc Dos Santos, assuming Adnan's injury isn't too serious. As for Dallas, the only good news about this slide is it could take the pressure off a team that in years past had struggled in the second half after strong starts under previous coach Oscar Pareja.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Although Adnan's night was cut short, his sensational strike was still the memory fans at BC Place will keep with them days, weeks and months from now. Victimized Dallas defenders Reggie Cannon and Michael Barrios won't soon forget it either.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Ali Adnan. The Iraqi international left back not only scored a goal worthy of one of the league's premier attackers, he also sparked the buildup that led to Venuto's second. It may have been a more comfortable night for the home team had he been able to complete the 90 minutes.
Up Next
- VAN: Friday, May 31 vs. Toronto FC (10 pm ET | TSN, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US)
- DAL: Saturday, June 1 vs. Seattle Sounders (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
