Late PK goal from Cavallini sends Whitecaps past Dallas

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are quickly cementing their status as a second-half team.

Tied 1-1 heading into extra time against FC Dallas, centreback Ranko Veselinovic – who had pushed forward in attack – was brought down for the penalty in the 92nd minute.

Striker Lucas Cavallini stepped up, and despite his own admitted up-and-down history with penalty kicks, buried the chance to seal the 2-1 win and claim his third goal of the season.

“I knew once we got the penalty, I was going to take it. I was going to take it and redeem myself,” he said after the match.

The result means Vancouver (3-6-2) has won three of its last four games, having beaten Toronto FC, Valour FC and drawing 3-3 with the San Jose Earthquakes. The loss ends Dallas’ nine-match unbeaten streak.

The Whitecaps came into the match having scored in the dying minutes of a 3-3 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes capping a different second-half comeback.

Vancouver won its match-up against Toronto FC in similar fashion, with Tosaint Ricketts scoring in the 90th minute.

“We managed to find that attitude to keep going to the end,” Cavallini said about Wednesday’s result. “We didn’t have that at the start of the season.”

Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said he believed his team deserved the win against their American opponents.

“It’s our fourth game in 10 days and in the second half we destroyed them. It's a huge credit to our fitness and medical department,” he said. “It shows the resiliency of the team and how good we are mentally and physically.”

Brian White had tied the match in the 71st minute, rising to meet a cross from Cristian Gutierrez and sending the ball past Maurer.

“We’re confident at home and we’ve got great home support,” White said.

Paul