VANCOUVER - Andy OBrien sat out seven straight games because of injury and coaching decisions earlier this season for the Vancouver Whitecaps.Fellow defender Kendall Waston wasnt even a member of the Major League Soccer club until August.What a difference a couple of months has made for both players.OBrien and Waston form an unlikely partnership in the centre of defence for the Whitecaps, who are riding a four-game shutout streak heading into Wednesdays winner-take-all first-round playoff matchup against FC Dallas.Like most great pairs, they differ in many ways.The 35-year-old OBrien is a no-nonsense veteran of 300 games in the English Premier League, while the 26-year-old Waston was a relative unknown in these parts until arriving in Vancouver from a club in his native Costa Rica.Theyre two opposites, said fellow defender Jordan Harvey. Kendalls that aggressive one and Andys that calming influence. Andys the communication guy in the back and really keeps that backline solid, and Kendall really raises the level of intensity and gets guys up for it.OBrien said things have worked with Waston largely because of how well they compliment each other on the pitch.I think hes playing very well. I suppose Im just Steady Eddy and thats how Ive played my career, said the former Irish international. Kendalls aggressive, very dominant, on the front foot. I think when you play with somebody and you know what theyre going to do, its easy to adjust around that player.In terms of what youd expect from a big centre back, he does what it says on the tin.It often takes time for new teammates to jell and Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said before the team left for Dallas on Monday hes surprised how quickly OBrien and Waston have meshed together.Kendall coming in has obviously been a massive hit for the club and for himself, but hes settled in off the field as well. They boys have welcomed him in, said Robinson. Him and Andy have been fantastic over the last couple of weeks.Waston scored the goal that clinched Vancouvers second playoff berth in three years on Saturday, flinging himself at a corner kick and powering the ball over the line in a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the regular-season finale.Waston always has a smile on his face — at least off the field — and said he used to watch MLS games on television back home.Now hes in the middle of the action for a squad that went an impressive 4-0-1 over its final five games just to qualify for the post-season.Its very good that I could come here because this is one of my dreams coming true, said Waston. I try to enjoy it every day.He added that hes learned a lot from OBrien in their short time together with the Whitecaps.Andy OBrien is a guy I want to copy a lot of things from because hes very professional, said Waston. The success hes had in life is because of that.I have a good relationship with him.Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted has had an outstanding season for Vancouver with an MLS-leading 13 shutouts. But hes quick to share the credit with the rest of his team, including the two players who line up right in front of him.I think theyve been fantastic, said Ousted. Youve seen Kendall, the things hes done just scoring goals and being strong defensively, and Andy has been rock solid the whole season.Robinson said over the weekend he initially thought Waston would be a good addition for the 2015 campaign, but former captain Jay DeMerits injury and subsequent retirement forced his hand. OBrien, meanwhile, got hurt and then fell out of favour in mid-season before battling back to regain his spot ahead of Carlyle Mitchell and Johnny Leveron.Age is just a number and I think you need to judged by what you do on the pitch, said OBrien, who started 11 of Vancouvers 13 clean sheets. Statistically Im happy with the games that Ive played, the results that weve had.The defence faces a tough test against Dallas, and OBrien, Waston and Harvey will be without usual right back Steven Beitashour, who limped off with a hamstring injury against Colorado.Robinson could opt to go with 19-year-old Sam Adekugbe — who was subbed on in the first half against the Rapids — or 20-year-old Ethen Sampson to fill the void.The Whitecaps have struggled to score for long stretches this season — they went the equivalent of five straight games without a goal at one point — but the defence has been resolute the last month and was the main factor into the Western Conferences top-5.We can talk about that wed like to score more goals, but its imperative that you keep a strong backline, said OBrien. I think collectively as a team weve done that very well.Notes: The winner of the Dallas-Vancouver one-game playoff will meet the Seattle Sounders in a two-leg semfinal. ... 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