Vancouver Whitecaps Vs. FC Dallas: Dallas Leave Empire Field With 2-1 Victory, Without David Ferreira

FC Dallas scored two second-half goals to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit and claim their second victory of the season, but the win came at a cost; reigning MLS MVP David Ferreira was stretchered off after injuring his ankle and taken to the hospital for x-rays. Dallas rebounded well after losing their most threatening attacking presence, but given the team's slow start to the season they could be in serious trouble if forced to go without the attacking midfielder for any extended period of time.

Alain Rochet opened the scoring with a headed goal from Davide Chiumiento's cross just over 24 minutes in. FC Dallas were awarded a penalty for a hand ball from Rochet just three minutes later, but Ferreira's spot kick was well wide left and the teams went to the half with Vancouver ahead 1-0. Dallas equalized in the 53rd minute, the goal coming on a George John header from a Marvin Chavez corner. The corner was awarded after Jonathan Leathers dispossessed Ferreira and put the ball out for a corner with a clean tackle, but Ferreira was injured at some point during the play and Eric Avila was brought on to replace him.

Avila would be the man to grab the winner for FC Dallas, gathering a loose ball at the edge of the box and firing a low shot past Jay Nolly and into the bottom left. Sloppy defensive organization was a consistent theme throughout the day for Vancouver and Avila made the Whitecaps back line pay. Despite some promising late attacks from the home side Dallas were able to hang on for the much-needed win to give them seven points on the year. It loss was the first for Vancouver at Empire Field.

There was some controversy late on when Eric Hassli was booked by referee Juan Guzman in the 80th minute while fighting with George John for a loose ball at the edge of the penalty area. Whether Hassli offense merited a foul is debatable and in no way did it appear to merit a booking, but the striker was shown yellow in any case and will now be forced to miss the Whitecaps' next game due to accumulation. Hassli was given a stern warning by Guzman earlier in the game after John went down in the box attempting a clearance, but replays showed that John's got his foot caught in the turf and that Hassli made no contact (or was within arm's reach) of the Dallas defender. Upon the card being shown, Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson immediately rushed over to Fourth Official Baldomero Toledo and seemed to insinuate that Toledo (who sent off Hassli earlier in the season) had spoken with Guzman about Hassli prior to the match.