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FCD continues playoff push with trip to Vancouver

Aug 14, 2012 - 9:23 PM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Wednesday's match at BC Place should go a long way toward helping shape the Western Conference playoff landscape as Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosts FC Dallas in match that is arguably more important for the Frisco club.

Dallas sits sixth in the West on 26 points, 10 points shy of the Los Angeles Galaxy, who occupy the final conference playoff berth. With the Galaxy also in action Wednesday, Dallas could find itself 13 points off the pace by the end of the night.

With a record of 3-2-1 over its last six games, Dallas has turned its season around after a lengthy winless run. On the back of a 3-2 defeat of the Colorado Rapids last time out, the club is looking to make a march up the table in a bid for a postseason appearance.

That playoff push could hinge on the performance of Fabian Castillo, who was instrumental in Saturday's win over Colorado.

"He's maturing into the player we all hoped he would be," Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said of Castillo. "He's got tremendous speed, quickness and he's creating some really, really dangerous situations."

Dallas has welcomed back playmaker David Ferreira to the fold. The creative midfielder scored the game-winner against the Rapids, his first goal of the season, off an assist from Castillo.

"I'm very happy to be the one to supply the pass for David to score his goal and it's the same thing that happened last season, too," Castillo said. "Usually it's David setting us up to score, so it's great to set him up for one."

Vancouver has plenty to play for on Wednesday as well. The 'Caps can move into sole possession of third place in the West with a positive result.

Flourishing in recent weeks for the Canadian club has been Camilo Sanvezzo. The Brazilian was just one of the club's options in a deep stable of attacking players, but following the departures of Davide Chiumiento, Sebastien Le Toux and Eric Hassli, Camilo has picked up the slack.

"Davide was playing well, but I think Camilo has more of a goal threat," Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie told the club's official website. "We just felt that he has to be on the field in order to score goals. But, at the same time, you have to perform well and have confidence. I feel like he's had a lift and grown in confidence because he's known he's more likely to be out there [since Chiumiento's departure]."

Camilo scored one and added an assist in Vancouver's last outing, a 2-1 defeat of Real Salt Lake.