Two goals in four minutes from Sebastian Fernandez gave Vancouver Whitecaps victory over FC Dallas to keep the Canadians firmly in the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

His first goal on 14 minutes came after build-up play from Erik Hurtado, and Mauro Rosales set up the Uruguayan, who calmly slotted the ball past Raul Fernandez to register his fifth goal of the season.

Fernandez didn't have to wait too long for his sixth strike of the campaign when Rosales again worked an opening for the South American forward, who duly tucked his effort into the net.

It could have been a different story for the Texans had Blas Perez taken his fourth-minute opportunity to put the visitors ahead.

Dallas chased a way back into the game, but efforts from Tesho Akindele and Andres Escobar were as close as they came to scoring on a night to forget for the away side.

Vancouver ran out victors and hold on to fifth place in the Western Conference, keeping them just inside the playoff positions.