Vancouver, BC – FC Dallas scored twice in the span of 10 second-half minutes to earn a 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Wednesday.
Fabian Castillo and Jonathan Top came through with the goals, but it was David Ferreira who stole the show as he provided the assists in the 60th and 70th minutes to power FC Dallas (7-11-8) to its second consecutive win.
Vancouver (10-8-7) misses out on the chance to claim sole possession of third place in the Western Conference as the club instead settles for a three-way tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC, all deadlocked on 37 points apiece.
With scoring chances at a premium in the opening period, Vancouver came closest just before the break when a free kick from Camilo Sanvezzo rattled the crossbar.
The 'Caps were left to rue that miss as Dallas took the lead in the 60th minute against the run of play.
Zach Loyd's throw in was flicked on by Ferreira and Castillo capitalized on some slack Vancouver defending, barging into the penalty area to slide his shot past Joe Cannon, off the post and into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead through Top's first career goal in MLS.
Ferreira showed great strength to shake off a challenge on a through ball into space. The Dallas playmaker picked out Top's run on the far side of the box and the second-half substitute made no mistake with the shot, firing it past the on-rushing Cannon with his first touch.
Dallas moves to within eight points of a playoff position, sitting sixth in the West on 29 points. The club will look to make it three wins in a row when it faces Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.
Vancouver also returns to action Saturday as it heads to CenturyLink Field to take on Seattle in a massive Cascadia Cup clash.
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