Whitecaps settle for draw with D.C. United after defensive lapses
Kimito Nono scored twice for D.C. United in a 3-3 draw that saw Vancouver concede two goals from corner kicks.
VANCOUVER — Kimito Nono scored twice as D.C. United twice came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer action Saturday at BC Place.
Lucas Bartlett also scored for United (6-8-12) while goalkeeper Sean Johnson made six saves.
Thomas Muller had a goal and an assist for the Whitecaps (15-6-5), with Brian White and Bruno Caicedo also scoring in front of an announced crowd of 26,080.
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"I think the balance in our performance today is not as good as it usually is," said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen.
Nono opened the scoring in the 16th minute, pouncing on a rebound after his initial shot was stopped on the goal line by Vancouver defender Mathias Laborda.
The Whitecaps, who are usually strong defending set plays, conceded 10 corners on the day.
"Then all of the sudden they get momentum, they get confidence, they know it’s an opportunity for them. And it can be tricky," Sorensen said.
White equalized nine minutes later, blasting home a rebound after Johnson saved his first shot for his team-leading 17th goal of the season, a new career high.
Vancouver took a 2-1 lead just before halftime on a slick give-and-go, with Muller feeding Caicedo for a tap-in.
"It's just people that are helping me with my development," Caicedo said via a translator. "The coaching staff are doing a tremendous job with me."
D.C. levelled the score again in the 65th minute when Bartlett headed in a Keisuke Kurokawa corner.
Muller restored Vancouver's lead in the 72nd minute, firing a shot from distance that deflected off Johnson's fingertips.
Nono completed his brace in the 80th minute, finishing a pass from Hosei Kijima to secure the draw.
"It’s not a habit. It’s what can happen," Sorensen said of the defensive lapses. "We have been consistently good in that part of the game. Today we were not and also they were very strong."
The result leaves Vancouver atop the Western Conference with 50 points, three ahead of FC Dallas with eight games remaining.
Both teams were missing players on international duty, with the Whitecaps missing six, including Andres Cubas and Edier Ocampo.
Vancouver still fielded "a good team," Sorensen said.
The Whitecaps also announced the signings of Canadian forward Johnny Selemani to a long-term contract and midfielder Valter Sedin on a short-term deal from Whitecaps FC 2.
Garbutt Disposal reported last week that German legend Thomas Muller remains undecided about his playing future beyond this season.
With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Sportsnet