Whitecaps look for others to seize opportunity in home matchup versus FC Dallas

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps will be without several veterans for their Major League Soccer match against Dallas FC Saturday.

But what some people may see as an adversity, Vancouver head coach Vanni Sartini calls an opportunity.

The Whitecaps have five players called up for international duty and are dealing with some injuries. Sartini said the vacancies gives other players a chance to prove themselves on the pitch at BC Place Stadium.

“I’m really happy that we can give the opportunity to some players that deserve the opportunity,” Sartini said after training this week. “We’re going to field a very strong team capable of beating Dallas.”

Among the new faces available for selection will be Scottish international midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who the Whitecaps signed earlier this week; Edir Ocampo, a Colombian youth international wingback acquired via transfer from Colombia’s Categoría Primera A side Atlético Nacional; and forward Deiber Caicedo, who has returned to Vancouver after being on loan to Atlético Junior.

The Whitecaps have also called up midfielder Jeevan Badwal and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau from their WFC2 team.

Forward Levonte Johnson understands the importance of taking advantage of a break. The Brampton, Ont., native played for the WFC2 team last year before finding a spot on the Whitecaps roster this season.

“I feel like it’s a really good opportunity for the guys that haven’t got much minutes throughout the season,” said Johnson, who played his college soccer at Syracuse University. “I feel like a lot of guys will step up to the occasion and show their ability.

"People will be impressed by what they can do.”

Vancouver (12-8-5) and Dallas (9-12-6) are sitting at opposite ends of the table.

The Whitecaps are fifth in the Western Conference with 41 points, just four back of the Colorado Rapids. They are also 5-1-1 in their last seven games, including a 1-0 away victory last weekend against Austin FC.

Beginning Saturday, six of Vancouver’s final nine games are at home.

The Whitecaps have a solid 7-4-3 road record, but Sartini would like his team to improve on its 5-4-2 home record, especially if they want to finish in the conference’s top four.

“We need to step up a little bit at home,” he said. “At home we have a good campaign. We need to be a little more than good.”

Dallas fired coach Nico Estevez in June and replaced him with assistant Peter Luccin.

Dallas lost 3-2 at home to Colorado last week in a game they led twice and sit three points out of the ninth and final playoff spot in the West.

Dallas also plays four of its final seven games on the road where the team is 1-8-4.

Sartini said Dallas is a desperate team that can’t be taken lightly.

“I think they will come with a do-or-die attitude,” he said. “They’re going to play like they are the home team and try to win.

“We need to be safe, simple and structured in the buildup and really good in our defensive organization.”

Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said the Whitecaps can’t worry about what Dallas might do.

“Just focus on ourselves,” he said. “That’s the most important thing. If we go into the game worrying about them too much it will be tough to win.

“I think we focus on ourselves and believe in ourselves that we can do it, go out there and get the three points.”

DALLAS FC (9-12-6) at VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (12-8-5)

BC Place Stadium

CALL OF DUTY: The five Whitecaps called up for international duty are midfielders Ryan Gauld (Scotland), the club’s second-leading goal scorer with nine; Ali Ahmed (Canada), Andres Cubas (Paraguay), Pedro Vite (Ecuador) and forward Fafa Picault (Haiti).

SICKBAY: Forward Brian White, who leads Vancouver with 12 goals and 51 assists, will miss the game under MLS concussion protocol.

SMALL WORLD: Sartini said when he was an instructor for U.S. Soccer, Luccin was in his B license course.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Whitecaps' seven wins and 24 points on the road this year ties two club records set in 2015.

NO WELCOME MAT: Dallas has won just three times in 15 games at BC Place.

GOODBYE LUIS: The Whitecaps announced the club has bought out the contract of defender Luis Martins. The 32-year-old from Lamego, Portugal, joined the team in May 2022 and made 57 appearances across all competitions, with 35 starts and recorded six assists.

NEXT UP: The Whitecaps host San Jose next Saturday at BC Place.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press