Vancouver Whitecaps start their season with a draw

Whitecaps unable to deliver goal in opener against Philadelphia

VANCOUVER — The match ended in a draw. But returning to the pitch was a victory for Vancouver Whitecaps defender Christian Dean.

Dean made his first Major League Soccer start since Aug. 29, 2015, in Vancouver’s 0-0 tie against the Philadelphia Union Sunday night. The 23-year-old from East Palo Alto, Calif., admitted to some nerves prior to the match.

“Before the game, I had some butterflies for sure,” he said. “That’s a good thing. My dad always said if you don’t feel it, you don’t care.”

The Whitecaps took the left-footed centreback third overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

In 2015, Dean made three starts in five regular-season appearances.

He came to camp in 2016 with high expectations but suffered a left foot injury in March, then a right knee injury in May. He also had to deal with the death of his father.

Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said Dean has shown both physical and mental toughness.

“It was a tough year,” said Robinson. “I’m pleased for him.

“He came in and looked very mature. Very polished. He got stronger as the game went on. He should be proud of himself today.”

Dean said there’s plenty of room for improvement in his game.

“Honestly, I would give myself a 7.5 or eight,” he said. “There are some things I can clean up on for sure. “I thought I had a decent game.” The Whitecaps had some second-half chances but couldn’t convert them into goals.

Robinson would have liked a win but also was happy the Whitecaps didn’t give up a late goal, something the team was guilty of last year when Vancouver failed to make the playoffs.

“We got into good areas but we just didn’t have the final execution of the pass, which was disappointing,” he said.

“We didn’t look at all in danger. Last year we probably would have conceded (a goal). A lot of positives on the defensive side. I thought we were strong.”

The Whitecaps’ best scoring opportunity came in the 66th minute. Defender Jordan Harvey took a corner kick from midfielder Cristian Techera and fired a left-footed shot from the centre of the box. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was beaten but defender Keegan Rosenberry blocked the shot, bringing a moan from the crowd of 19,083 at B.C. Place.

The Whitecaps next game is Saturday in San Jose against the Earthquakes.

The Canadian Press Vancouver Whitecaps’ Kekuta Manneh, right, Philadelphia Union’s Keegan Rosenberry vie for the ball during first-half MLS action in Vancouver on Sunday.

The Canadian Press Fabinho of the Philadelphia Union, right, shoves Vancouver Whitecaps’ Alphonso Davies off the ball during Sunday’s game at B.C. Place.