VANCOUVER – FC Dallas remained winless on the road in 2012 as Camilo's 11th minute goal hands the visiting side their first shutout of the season.
The Brazilian goal-scorer — fully fit after battling a quadriceps injury — scored a well-taken goal, cutting in from the right before powering the ball into the bottom left corner with his left foot, to secure the Whitecaps' first win since St. Patrick ’s Day.
The match got off to a bumpy start for Dallas before a ball was even kicked, as starting goalkeeper Kevin Hartman had to be withdrawn from the starting lineup, with Chris Seitz replacing him.
Despite going into the break down by a goal, Dallas started strongly. They controlled large swathes of the first half, with 57 percent possession in their favor.
Brek Shea looked dangerous, winning a number of free kicks and having a couple of shots, but none were on target.
Camilo looked lively all match, drawing fouls and getting off a shot from close range after Jun Marques Davidson lobbed the Dallas defense in the fourth minute.
The visitors’ best early opportunity came after 38 minutes, when Blas Perez set Bruno Guarda up from close range. The Brazilian’s shot had power, but was right at goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who stopped the shot before gathering the ball at the second attempt.
In the 62nd minute, Shea managed his first shot on target, blasting a low effort at Cannon, who got down well to hold the ball. Two minutes later the Texan got off another shot on goal from a similar angle, but Cannon once again saved comfortably.
OPTA Chalkboard: Midfield battle as Dallas outpossess Vancouver
Then came a shaky moment for Cannon, as he was closed down quickly by Fabian Castillo. The Colombian managed to get the ball, but fell while delivering his cross.
On 75 minutes, Matt Watson got in behind FC Dallas captain Ugo Ihemelu, after Lee Young-Pyo found the rushing Englishman with an incisive pass. The midfielder in-turn found Camilo, but the Brazilian’s effort was denied by Seitz with a fine reaction save.
In the final minute Dallas defender Carlos Rodriguez — who appeared to be the last man back — dragged Sebastien Le Toux down. The French striker looked to be clean through but referee Edvin Jurisevic opted to give Rodriguez a yellow card rather than dismiss him.
FC Dallas, now 3-3-1, don’t have to wait long for their next match, as they host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. The Whitecaps, now 3-2-2, prepare for a road game against the Columbus Crew next Saturday.
