MLS Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 DC United

The Vancouver Whitecaps remained undefeated after three games as they battled D.C. United to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer play Saturday night.

Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon preserved the deadlock with three outstanding second-half saves as the Whitecaps (2-0-1) recorded their third straight shutout before a crowd of 19,394 at B.C. Place Stadium.

D.C. (0-2-1) recorded its first point in the young season.

Cannon secured the clean sheet by foiling Canadian scoring star Dwayne De Rosario in the 84th minute, making a leg save on a shot from close range.

This marks the first time in Vancouver's MLS history that it has recorded three consecutive shutouts. Last season, the Whitecaps only managed two in a row while recording a total of five.

Cannon has recorded two of the three Vancouver shutouts. The other was officially a team shutout after Cannon pulled himself out of last weekend's 1-0 win over Chivas USA in Carson, Calif., because of a quadriceps injury. He was replaced by backup Brad Knighton, who got credit for the win.

D.C. went with backup Joe Willis because No. 1 Bill Hamid was away playing for the U.S. under-23 team at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. United defender Perry Kitchen was also on the American team, while gifted winger Andy Najar was with Honduras in the same competition.

Vancouver's primary concern was keeping the ball away from De Rosario, who topped the MLS scoring chart in 2011 with 16 goals and 12 assists while playing for three different teams -- Toronto, New York and D.C. -- and was named the league's most valuable player.

The Whitecaps 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.

United was credited with four shots in the first half while the Whitecaps recorded three. Neither goalkeeper had to make a save.

Vancouver lost Rochat in the 57th minute after D.C. goalkeeper Willis inadvertently collided with the back of his legs following a Whitecaps corner kick. Rochat went to midfield and fell down. Unable to put weight on his left leg, he hopped off the field with help from Hassli and a trainer.

Jordan Harvey took Rochat's place on the pitch.

In the 67th minute, a rare De Rosario touch resulted in a D.C. corner kick. Whitecaps goalkeeper Cannon made a sensational save as he stretched and got his arm on Salihi's header. Whitecaps midfielder Davide Chiumiento then headed the rebound off the goal-line and out of harm's way.

D.C. goalkeeper Willis was shaken up in th 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.

A short time later, Cannon dove to stop hard Danny Cruz shot from the side of the 18-yard box, setting the stage for his final big save of the night on De Rosario.

.Notes: The Whitecaps played without midfielders John Thorrington (quad) and Michael Nanchoff (heel) and striker Atiba Harris (knee). ... D.C. defender Dejan Jakovic of Toronto, recuperating from a groin strain, was listed as a substitute, but did not play. United midfielder Kurt Morsink (foot) and defender Ethan White (knee) were also out with injuries. ... Former Canadian national team goalkeeper Pat Onstad, a Vancouver native, is a D.C. assistant coach. ... United avoided travel fatigue by staying on the West Coast after playing in Los Angeles last weekend. ... The Whitecaps did not record their third win in 2011 until August against Chicago.