• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

'Caps hope to snap winless run against FC Dallas

Apr 22, 2011 - 9:41 PM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC made a memorable debut in Major League Soccer, but over the last five matches, the expansion club has failed to post a victory.

Last week's 0-0 draw against Chivas USA at Empire Field kept Vancouver perfect at home, but the club has failed to win since a 4-2 win over Toronto FC in the first week of the season April 19.

Although the positive from last week's result was a shutout, the club's first, it was the third draw during a five-game winless run for the Whitecaps. Now, a match against MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas awaits Saturday at Empire Field.

Although Dallas (1-3-1) has struggled so far this season, it showed last week, when it nearly rallied from a three-goal deficit against the Portland Timbers, that the talent is in place to contend again this season.

Vancouver (1-2-3) played like a contender in opening week, but with 10 goals allowed in its first four games, there are still a lot of question marks. Even after last week's performance.

Designated player Eric Hassli has been good - when he's stayed on the pitch - with three goals in his first three games. But he was held without a goal last week, and was sent off in his previous two appearances.

After posting a shutout last week, Vancouver has to find a balance between an offensive-minded side that scored four and three goals, respectively, in two of its first thee games and the team that earned a shutout last week.

"It was a good performance," Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly said. "We've been dying for a clean sheet to show that we've been working hard defensively and not letting in goals that we know we shouldn't have.

"We put it together ... and we were unfortunate not to break through on their end."

After scoring one goal in its first three games, Dallas has five over the last two weeks and may finally be rounding into form. Dallas struggled early in the season one year ago but was nearly unbeatable the rest of the way.

MVP David Ferreira has three goals and an assist in his last two games, and FC Dallas also got a goal from Brek Shea last week. Although the two goals didn't come until Dallas was three goals down, it was a good sign in a 3-2 loss.

"I think we started getting more urgent, getting more people into the attack trying to put them back on their heels," Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said.

Dallas gave up two goals off set pieces and Hyndman admitted that was "really disappointing." But a win at Vancouver could easily start a turnaround and put Dallas back on track after its early-season struggles.