Kekuta Manneh sparks rally as Whitecaps claim draw with Dallas

Kekuta Manneh scores first professional goal

Gambian striker Kekuta Manneh inspired the Vancouver Whitecaps to a memorable comeback in the Major League Soccer as he guided the Whitecaps to overcome two ugly goals to earn a point in a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas.

The Gambian youngster came up big with a goal and a wonderful assist to unhinge the Hoops. The 18-year-old striker got the comeback going with a cracking 72nd minute strike which followed a fine save from Raúl Fernández Valverde just seconds before. It was his first goal as a professional.

Tom Heinemann then tried to make contact with the ball but it took a deflection into the path of Manneh, who reacted quickly to get his side back in the match.

Manneh didn’t stop there though – the speedster accelerated past three Dallas defenders three minutes later, before sending a ball across the area, which Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo reacted well to, striking a ball which bounced off Jair Benítez Sinisterra before crossing the goal line – that cancelled out a first half own goal from Andy O’Brien and a 47th minute marker from Matt Hedges.

With the draw, Manneh’s Whitecaps are now 2-3-3, and square up against FC Edmonton on Wednesday in the second leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal tie, which they lead 3-2 on aggregate.