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FC Dallas aims to continue hot start against Whitecaps

Apr 19, 2013 - 8:20 PM Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - The club with the league's best record will put their excellent form to the test on Saturday as FC Dallas hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps at FC Dallas Stadium.

Last time out, FC Dallas extended their unbeaten run in league play to five consecutive matches after a goal by George John with three minutes to play pushed FC Dallas to a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The match took a turn in favor of FC Dallas when Los Angeles defender Leonardo was shown a red card for taking down Dallas' Blas Perez in the penalty area, resulting in a spot kick. But Carlo Cudicini guess correctly and saved Kenny Cooper's attempt.

The game's lone goal then came in the in the 87th minute. Eric Hassli's header from a corner kick hit the crossbar, but John raced in to nod the rebound into the goal for the match-winner.

The victory extends FCD's best streak since going nine games without defeat from April 23-June 4, 2011.

"This is the best we've ever started out. You don't start off a season with this type of record without having a fighting spirit. The team works hard for one another," said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman.

"We have spent a lot of time on set pieces and free kicks, corner kicks, because we have the size. It's one of those things that the team really likes one another. They are determined to find success."

Vancouver is coming off a second consecutive draw after playing to a 1-1 stalemate with Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

After a scoreless opening half, RSL broke the deadlock in the 66th minute as Olmes Garcia found himself with space on the edge of the box and bent a fine effort into the far corner and past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Vancouver was given a bit of good luck with six minutes to play when RSL defender Nat Borchers whiffed on a clearance in the box, slipped and fell on the ball, resulting in a penalty kick.

Camilo stepped up to take the penalty and sent RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando the wrong way to rescue a point for his side.

"It's been a good start of the season. We've done well in every game we've played. When I look at last season, I think now we've got more points or at least as many points as we did last point this season," said Vancouver head coach Martin Rennie.

"Last season was the best start ever and everybody was over the top excited as to how good the start was last season. This season is the same, we are slightly better, but we've not really been clicking yet."

Last week's result ensured that Vancouver has yet to be shut out in a match this season.

"Ultimately it takes players to finish," Rennie continued. "The last little part of the game is down to players putting the ball in the back of the net. Those who do that become very rich, and very wealthy, and very famous. It's up to players to become that and ultimately, that's what it comes down to.

"The ball can bounce off you sometimes, you can get lucky sometimes, but to be a consistently good goal scorer you can become a very wealthy young man, and it's up to our players to become that if that's what they've got the hunger and desire to do and the work rate to do."

In five all-time meetings, Dallas holds a 4-1-0 edge as well as a 2-0-0 margin at FC Dallas Stadium.