How do Whitecaps FC stack up against FC Dallas?

Farhan Devji

VANCOUVER, BC – How do Vancouver Whitecaps FC stack up against FC Dallas, their opponent in Wednesday’s single-game knockout playoff match at Toyota Stadium? (6 p.m. PT, TSN1, TSN 1040)

See for yourself.

Here’s our in-depth overview of the two teams, including a position-by-position breakdown.


	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1708.png" style="width: 70px; height: 70px;">	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.jpg" style="width: 60px; height: 60px;">
<p>POINTS</p>	<p align="center">50</p>	<p align="center">54</p>
<p>GOALS FOR</p>	<p align="center">42</p>	<p align="center">55</p>
<p>GOALS FROM INSIDE THE BOX</p>	<p align="center">32</p>	<p align="center">48</p>
<p>GOALS FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX</p>	<p align="center">10</p>	<p align="center">7</p>
<p>SET PIECE GOALS FOR</p>	<p align="center">3</p>	<p align="center">14</p>
<p>GOALS AGAINST</p>	<p align="center">40</p>	<p align="center">45</p>
<p>SET PIECE GOALS AGAINST</p>	<p align="center">4</p>	<p align="center">9</p>
<p>CHANCES CREATED</p>	<p align="center">338</p>	<p align="center">269</p>
<p>SUCCESSFUL PASSES (per game)</p>	<p align="center">328.18</p>	<p align="center">290.38</p>
<p>SUCCESSFUL CROSSES (per game)</p>	<p align="center">2.24</p>	<p align="center">2.44</p>

GOALKEEPERS


<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1708.png" style="width: 70px; height: 70px;">	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.jpg" style="width: 60px; height: 60px;">
<p>There’s no question who’s going to be between the posts for the Blue and White on Wednesday: <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/david-ousted">David Ousted</a>.</p><p>The Danish shot-stopper played every minute of every regular season match for Whitecaps FC this season, the only player to do so.</p><p>Ousted, who was a nominee for Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year, finished the season with a league-high 13 clean sheets. He’s also currently riding a 393-minute shutout streak, the longest streak in MLS this season.</p><p>With these numbers, it’s no surprise that Ousted’s name <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/10/ousted-secures-mls-best-clean-sheet-mark" target="_blank">has been coming up</a> as a potential contender for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Ousted finished the regular season with a league-high 29 “saving catches,” which are saves that were caught with no rebound. He also caught 41 crosses, good enough for third in the league.  </p>	<p>Things aren’t as clear-cut in net for FC Dallas.</p><p>Peruvian Raul Fernandez was the team’s first-choice keeper for most of the year, starting 20 matches and posting a 9W-8L-3D record.</p><p>But Chris Seitz, who also got 14 starts, started two of Dallas’ three final matches. The 27-year-old American posted a 7W-4L-3D record this season.<br><br> Fernandez had the slightly better goals-against average (1.25) – compared to Seitz at 1.42. He also stole the show in a <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/07/whitecaps-fc-fc-dallas-2-2-draw" target="_blank">2-2 draw with Vancouver back on July 27</a> at BC Place, making seven saves including a few of the spectacular variety.</p><p>The Peruvian, who was an MLS All-Star in 2013, started each of Dallas’ three matches against Vancouver this season.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Remarkably, Fernandez and Seitz both averaged exactly 3.14 saves per game in the regular season.</p>

There’s no question who’s going to be between the posts for the Blue and White on Wednesday: <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/david-ousted">David Ousted</a>.The Danish shot-stopper played every minute of every regular season match for Whitecaps FC this season, the only player to do so.Ousted, who was a nominee for Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year, finished the season with a league-high 13 clean sheets. He’s also currently riding a 393-minute shutout streak, the longest streak in MLS this season.With these numbers, it’s no surprise that Ousted’s name <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/10/ousted-secures-mls-best-clean-sheet-mark" target="_blank">has been coming up</a> as a potential contender for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.OPTA STAT: Ousted finished the regular season with a league-high 29 “saving catches,” which are saves that were caught with no rebound. He also caught 41 crosses, good enough for third in the league.

Things aren’t as clear-cut in net for FC Dallas.Peruvian Raul Fernandez was the team’s first-choice keeper for most of the year, starting 20 matches and posting a 9W-8L-3D record.But Chris Seitz, who also got 14 starts, started two of Dallas’ three final matches. The 27-year-old American posted a 7W-4L-3D record this season. Fernandez had the slightly better goals-against average (1.25) – compared to Seitz at 1.42. He also stole the show in a <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/07/whitecaps-fc-fc-dallas-2-2-draw" target="_blank">2-2 draw with Vancouver back on July 27</a> at BC Place, making seven saves including a few of the spectacular variety.The Peruvian, who was an MLS All-Star in 2013, started each of Dallas’ three matches against Vancouver this season.OPTA STAT: Remarkably, Fernandez and Seitz both averaged exactly 3.14 saves per game in the regular season.

DEFENDERS


<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1708.png" style="width: 70px; height: 70px;">	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.jpg" style="width: 60px; height: 60px;">
<p>While Ousted made the key saves when he needed to all year, the Dane would also be the first to admit that he had a lot of help from Vancouver’s back four. </p><p>Since the World Cup break, the ‘Caps posted a sparkling 0.95 goals against average, which is tied with RSL for tops in the league.</p><p>Carl Robinson used six different centre backs this year, but it appears he’s found a winning combination in <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/andy-obrien" target="_blank">Andy O’Brien</a> and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/kendall-waston" target="_blank">Kendall Waston</a>. The duo, whose contrasting styles clearly complement each other perfectly, started eight matches together this year, five of which were clean sheets.</p><p>The Blue and White have also enjoyed the consistency of experienced fullbacks <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/jordan-harvey" target="_blank">Jordan Harvey</a>, a Whitecaps FC Player of the Year nominee, and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/steven-beitashour" target="_blank">Steven Beitashour</a>.</p><p>But Beitashour has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match with a pulled hamstring, which will open the door for <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/sam-adekugbe" target="_blank">Sam Adekugbe</a> or <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/ethen-sampson" target="_blank">Ethen Sampson</a>.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Waston and O’Brien finished first and second respectively in MLS with 6.7 and 5.12 headed clearances per game.</p>	<p>Only one Western Conference playoff team conceded more goals than FC Dallas’ 45 in the regular season. Their 22 goals against at home are also the most among the remaining teams in the conference.</p><p>However, they also tightened things up since the World Cup break. After Vancouver and RSL, Dallas’ 1.00 goals against average after the break was third best in the league.<br><br> Oscar Pareja used several different combinations on his back line this year, but centre back and team captain Matt Hedges was the anchor. The 24-year-old American started a team-high 32 of 34 matches this season.</p><p>At 6-foot-4, Hedges is known for his size, while his central defence partner Zach Loyd is known for his speed. With an average age of 25.5, they’re one of the youngest centre back pairings in the league.</p><p>Loyd also spent some time at fullback this season – as did the likes of Je-Vaughn Waston, Jair Benitez, Moises Hernandez, and Michel.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Hedges had 228 clearances and 104 interceptions in the regular season, which were both second best in all of MLS.</p>

While Ousted made the key saves when he needed to all year, the Dane would also be the first to admit that he had a lot of help from Vancouver’s back four. Since the World Cup break, the ‘Caps posted a sparkling 0.95 goals against average, which is tied with RSL for tops in the league.Carl Robinson used six different centre backs this year, but it appears he’s found a winning combination in <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/andy-obrien" target="_blank">Andy O’Brien</a> and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/kendall-waston" target="_blank">Kendall Waston</a>. The duo, whose contrasting styles clearly complement each other perfectly, started eight matches together this year, five of which were clean sheets.The Blue and White have also enjoyed the consistency of experienced fullbacks <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/jordan-harvey" target="_blank">Jordan Harvey</a>, a Whitecaps FC Player of the Year nominee, and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/steven-beitashour" target="_blank">Steven Beitashour</a>.But Beitashour has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match with a pulled hamstring, which will open the door for <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/sam-adekugbe" target="_blank">Sam Adekugbe</a> or <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/ethen-sampson" target="_blank">Ethen Sampson</a>.OPTA STAT: Waston and O’Brien finished first and second respectively in MLS with 6.7 and 5.12 headed clearances per game.

Only one Western Conference playoff team conceded more goals than FC Dallas’ 45 in the regular season. Their 22 goals against at home are also the most among the remaining teams in the conference.However, they also tightened things up since the World Cup break. After Vancouver and RSL, Dallas’ 1.00 goals against average after the break was third best in the league. Oscar Pareja used several different combinations on his back line this year, but centre back and team captain Matt Hedges was the anchor. The 24-year-old American started a team-high 32 of 34 matches this season.At 6-foot-4, Hedges is known for his size, while his central defence partner Zach Loyd is known for his speed. With an average age of 25.5, they’re one of the youngest centre back pairings in the league.Loyd also spent some time at fullback this season – as did the likes of Je-Vaughn Waston, Jair Benitez, Moises Hernandez, and Michel.OPTA STAT: Hedges had 228 clearances and 104 interceptions in the regular season, which were both second best in all of MLS.

MIDFIELDERS


<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1708.png" style="width: 70px; height: 70px;">	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.jpg" style="width: 60px; height: 60px;">
<p>If there’s any question about how good Vancouver’s midfield has been this season, consider this: four of the team’s six Player of the Year nominees were midfield players.<br><br> Of course, the headliner is Designated Player <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/pedro-morales" target="_blank">Pedro Morales</a>. The Chilean playmaker, who took over as captain following Jay DeMerit’s retirement, led Whitecaps FC with 10 goals and 12 assists this season. Vancouver’s record when Morales recorded a goal or assist was 10W-1L-4D. That speaks for itself.</p><p>But Morales had some help. Holding midfielder <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/matias-laba" target="_blank">Matias Laba</a> was an absolute force all season, while the likes of <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/russell-teibert" target="_blank">Russell Teibert </a>and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/gershon-koffie" target="_blank">Gershon Koffie</a> both slotted in well alongside him at different times. </p><p>Teibert has started a career-high 12 straight matches, but Koffie is also back to full health after missing 10 matches with a sprained foot.</p><p>When you add attacking-minded players like <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/mauro-rosales" target="_blank">Mauro Rosales</a>, who has three assists in his last two games against FC Dallas, <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/sebastian-fernandez" target="_blank">Sebastian Fernandez</a>, who <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/10/whitecaps-fc-2-0-win-over-fc-dallas-saturday-bc-place" target="_blank">potted a brace in the last meeting with Dallas</a>, and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/kekuta-manneh" target="_blank">Kekuta Manneh</a> to the mix, it’s easy to see why Vancouver’s midfield is among the best in the league.  </p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Laba had a league-high 151 tackles and led all midfielders with 87 interceptions this season. Morales, meanwhile, was fifth in the league with 85 chances created.</p>	<p>Though he experimented with a 3-5-2 formation, Pareja’s preferred shape was the 4-4-2 with a flat midfield four this season.</p><p>In two of Dallas’ last three games, including a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy, the four midfield players have been (from right to left): Andres Escobar, Victor Ulloa, Michel, and Fabian Castillo. </p><p>The latter two have provided most of the offence from midfield. Castillo, who was the third-ranked player in MLS’ annual 24 under 24 list, bagged 10 goals this season and picked up four assists along the way.</p><p>The 22-year-old Colombian plays on the left wing, so whoever slots in at right back for Whitecaps FC in place of Beitashour will have to contain his speed and trickery.</p><p>Michel, meanwhile, is Dallas’ set piece specialist. The left-footed Brazillian had a league-high three free kick goals to go along with four assists from dead ball situations, which was the second most in the league.</p><p>Another player to watch is young Argentine playmaker Mauro Diaz, who could have something to say off the bench.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Castillo completed a league-high 113 “dribbles” this season. The next closest player had 89. A dribble is defined as a “successful attempt by a player to beat a defender in a one-on-one situation while retaining possession.”</p>

If there’s any question about how good Vancouver’s midfield has been this season, consider this: four of the team’s six Player of the Year nominees were midfield players. Of course, the headliner is Designated Player <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/pedro-morales" target="_blank">Pedro Morales</a>. The Chilean playmaker, who took over as captain following Jay DeMerit’s retirement, led Whitecaps FC with 10 goals and 12 assists this season. Vancouver’s record when Morales recorded a goal or assist was 10W-1L-4D. That speaks for itself.But Morales had some help. Holding midfielder <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/matias-laba" target="_blank">Matias Laba</a> was an absolute force all season, while the likes of <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/russell-teibert" target="_blank">Russell Teibert </a>and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/gershon-koffie" target="_blank">Gershon Koffie</a> both slotted in well alongside him at different times. Teibert has started a career-high 12 straight matches, but Koffie is also back to full health after missing 10 matches with a sprained foot.When you add attacking-minded players like <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/mauro-rosales" target="_blank">Mauro Rosales</a>, who has three assists in his last two games against FC Dallas, <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/sebastian-fernandez" target="_blank">Sebastian Fernandez</a>, who <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/10/whitecaps-fc-2-0-win-over-fc-dallas-saturday-bc-place" target="_blank">potted a brace in the last meeting with Dallas</a>, and <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/kekuta-manneh" target="_blank">Kekuta Manneh</a> to the mix, it’s easy to see why Vancouver’s midfield is among the best in the league.  OPTA STAT: Laba had a league-high 151 tackles and led all midfielders with 87 interceptions this season. Morales, meanwhile, was fifth in the league with 85 chances created.

Though he experimented with a 3-5-2 formation, Pareja’s preferred shape was the 4-4-2 with a flat midfield four this season.In two of Dallas’ last three games, including a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy, the four midfield players have been (from right to left): Andres Escobar, Victor Ulloa, Michel, and Fabian Castillo. The latter two have provided most of the offence from midfield. Castillo, who was the third-ranked player in MLS’ annual 24 under 24 list, bagged 10 goals this season and picked up four assists along the way.The 22-year-old Colombian plays on the left wing, so whoever slots in at right back for Whitecaps FC in place of Beitashour will have to contain his speed and trickery.Michel, meanwhile, is Dallas’ set piece specialist. The left-footed Brazillian had a league-high three free kick goals to go along with four assists from dead ball situations, which was the second most in the league.Another player to watch is young Argentine playmaker Mauro Diaz, who could have something to say off the bench.OPTA STAT: Castillo completed a league-high 113 “dribbles” this season. The next closest player had 89. A dribble is defined as a “successful attempt by a player to beat a defender in a one-on-one situation while retaining possession.”

STRIKERS


<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/1708.png" style="width: 70px; height: 70px;">	<img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/FC%20Dallas.jpg" style="width: 60px; height: 60px;">
<p>For the most part, Robinson went with a single striker formation this season featuring either <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/erik-hurtado" target="_blank">Erik Hurtado</a> or <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/darren-mattocks">Darren Mattocks</a>.</p><p>Both players proved to be quite streaky when it comes to finding the back of the net. Mattocks scored four goals in five games during a stretch in July and August, while Hurtado scored in five straight games (in all competitions) during a stretch in May and June. He also <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/09/whitecaps-fc-suffer-2-1-road-defeat-fc-dallas" target="_blank">found the back of the net in Vancouver’s last visit to Toyota Stadium.</a></p><p>They also showed that they're able to influence the game in different ways. Hurtado’s hold-up play drew praise from the coaching staff and pundits, while Mattocks’ speed is always a handful for opposing defenders.  </p><p>Whether they’re starting or coming off the bench, both players will need to be on their game for Whitecaps FC to pick up a result.   </p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>Mattocks drew three penalties this season, the second most in the league. Hurtado also drew two.</p>	<p>The main player to watch here is 6-foot-1 striker Blas Perez, who led Dallas with 11 goals this season. Three of those goals were against Vancouver, though Waston did well to neutralize him in the most recent meeting between these two teams.</p><p>The two other strikers who will likely also have a say in the game are rookie Tesho Akindele and Young Designated Player David Texeira.</p><p>Akindele, a native of Calgary, Alberta, had seven goals and three assists this season and will likely be in the running for MLS Rookie of the Year.</p><p>Texeira, meanwhile, had four goals in just 839 minutes of action – the second best goals per 90 minutes rate on the team.</p><p>In Dallas’ most recent outing, Perez and Texeira started while Akindele came off the bench.</p><p><strong>OPTA STAT: </strong>FC Dallas took a combined 386 shots in the regular season, which was the third lowest total in the league.</p>

For the most part, Robinson went with a single striker formation this season featuring either <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/erik-hurtado" target="_blank">Erik Hurtado</a> or <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/players/darren-mattocks">Darren Mattocks</a>.Both players proved to be quite streaky when it comes to finding the back of the net. Mattocks scored four goals in five games during a stretch in July and August, while Hurtado scored in five straight games (in all competitions) during a stretch in May and June. He also <a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2014/09/whitecaps-fc-suffer-2-1-road-defeat-fc-dallas" target="_blank">found the back of the net in Vancouver’s last visit to Toyota Stadium.</a>They also showed that they're able to influence the game in different ways. Hurtado’s hold-up play drew praise from the coaching staff and pundits, while Mattocks’ speed is always a handful for opposing defenders.  Whether they’re starting or coming off the bench, both players will need to be on their game for Whitecaps FC to pick up a result.   OPTA STAT: Mattocks drew three penalties this season, the second most in the league. Hurtado also drew two.

The main player to watch here is 6-foot-1 striker Blas Perez, who led Dallas with 11 goals this season. Three of those goals were against Vancouver, though Waston did well to neutralize him in the most recent meeting between these two teams.The two other strikers who will likely also have a say in the game are rookie Tesho Akindele and Young Designated Player David Texeira.Akindele, a native of Calgary, Alberta, had seven goals and three assists this season and will likely be in the running for MLS Rookie of the Year.Texeira, meanwhile, had four goals in just 839 minutes of action – the second best goals per 90 minutes rate on the team.In Dallas’ most recent outing, Perez and Texeira started while Akindele came off the bench.OPTA STAT: FC Dallas took a combined 386 shots in the regular season, which was the third lowest total in the league.

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