Ralph Priso equalized in stoppage time, and Belal Halbouni netted the winning goal in a penalty shootout as the Vancouver Whitecaps triumphed over FC Dallas in a thrilling playoff clash on Saturday night. The Whitecaps sealed a victory in the best-of-three first-round series of the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs after a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time.
As the second seed in the Western Conference, Vancouver earned the right to host the Western Conference semifinal at B.C. Place stadium on Nov. 22. The Whitecaps will face either Los Angeles FC or Austin in the one-game conference semifinals.
FC Dallas’ Petar Musa scored his first MLS Cup playoffs goal in the 25th minute, giving his team a 1-0 advantage. However, Priso’s late header, followed by a successful rebound, leveled the score for the Whitecaps.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout where dramatic goals from both sides unfolded. Ultimately, Halbouni’s decisive penalty secured the victory for Vancouver as Nolan Norris missed the final kick for Dallas.
Vancouver had previously dominated with a 3-0 win in Game 1. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka played a crucial role, making two saves to help secure the Whitecaps’ progression in the playoffs.