Joe Cannon made three outstanding second-half saves and the unbeaten Vancouver Whitecaps played a scoreless draw against D.C. United on Saturday night.
Cannon secured Vancouver's third consecutive shutout by foiling Canadian star Dwayne De Rosario in the 84th minute, making a leg save on a shot from close range.
Cannon has recorded two of the three shutouts. He pulled himself out of last weekend's 1-0 win at Chivas USA because of a quadriceps injury, and the victory went to backup Brad Knighton.
D.C. went with backup Joe Willis because No. 1 Bill Hamid is playing for the U.S. under-23 team at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. United defender Perry Kitchen also is on the American team, while gifted winger Andy Najar is with Honduras in the same competition.
Vancouver's primary concern was keeping the ball away from De Rosario, who had 16 goals and 12 assists last season while playing for three different teams - Toronto, New York and D.C. - and was voted the league's most valuable player.
The Whitecaps (2-0-1) kept him at bay most of the first half, although a few of his passes created brief threats. The hosts controlled most of the play, but D.C. was dangerous at times on counter attacks.
In the 30th minute, Vancouver striker Eric Hassli headed a cross from Brazilian forward Camilo into the side of the D.C. net. Two minutes later, United striker Hamdi Salihi put a Nick DeLeon corner kick over the Whitecaps net.
Soon thereafter, Hassli, who had several disciplinary problems last season, received a yellow card for a hard tackle on Maicon Santos. A scuffle ensued between Hassli and other D.C. players, but referee Kevin Stott maintained control.
Two minutes later, Santo took a yellow card for taking down Vancouver defender Alain Rochat.
Willis was shaken up in the 74th minute as he leaped to catch a Camilo free kick and went head over heels. Moments later, De Rosario landed a lob shot on top of the net and rubbed his face in frustration.
NOTES: The Whitecaps played without midfielders John Thorrington (quad) and Michael Nanchoff (heel), and striker Atiba Harris (knee). ... United avoided travel fatigue by staying on the West Coast after playing in Los Angeles last weekend.
