Defenses rule as Minnesota United, Whitecaps play to scoreless draw

Minnesota United goalkeeper Drake Callender made five saves in a 0-0 draw with the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at Saint Paul, Minn.

The performance was a big upgrade for the United, who were blown out by Vancouver earlier this season.

Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka stopped three shots, but the Whitecaps (10-3-3, 33 points) remained winless in two matches since returning to action this month.

Even though there was improvement, Minnesota (6-6-5, 23 points) had its winless streak grow to six matches (0-3-3).

United forward Mamadou Dieng compiled a match-high three shots on goal.

Despite a nice advantage in possession for the Whitecaps (60.3%), they weren't crisp and that cost them repeatedly when they were attempting to push forward.

Each team produced two shots on goal in the scoreless first half. Later, there were rushes for both teams in the added time, but nothing that mounted to a breakthrough. Vancouver finished with 11 shots, five on target, to 10 and 3 for Minnesota.

The Whitecaps, who dropped Wednesday's outing at Cincinnati by 4-3 following the layoff for the World Cup, have been shut out in two of their last four matches.

The Whitecaps drubbed visiting Minnesota 6-0 in March.

--Field Level Media