(Houston, TX) Coming off an absolute drubbing of Orlando City, the Houston Dynamo (5-3-1) lock horns with the Vancouver Whitecaps (3-5-1). The Dynamo welcome back striker Erick “Cubo” Torres back onto the active roster, as he was inactive last game due to concussion symptoms he obtained against Toronto FC. Houston currently sits in 4th place in the Western Conference, and are tied with 3rd place Portland Timbers in the points standings going into Friday’s game against Vancouver. Houston comes in looking for their 2nd consecutive shutout here at home, and are seeking to stay undefeated in the friendly confines of BBVA Compass Stadium. The Whitecaps are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids in Commerce City on a goal by Brek Shea. The Whitecaps are in 6th place in the West and are hoping to inch closer to the Dynamo in the standings Friday evening.
As the whistle blew and the game got underway, both teams were playing stingy defense. Each team had an opportunity in the others box, but came away empty-handed, with the Dynamo shooting one into the upper deck in Vancouver’s zone. Both team’s passes weren’t crisp either, as Dynamo’s forward Rommel Quioto would have a few set pieces be turned over, and Vancouver would fail on a couple of free kicks and corner kicks as well. Eventually, in the 14th minute, forward Alberth Elis would open the scoring with a beautiful header with a nice assist from Romell Quioto, putting the Dynamo up 1-0. The play would be physical from the opening kickoff, but Houston’s Adolfo Machado would receive the first yellow card of the game. The physical play continued to occur, as Cubo Torres needed to enter into the game sooner than Coach Wilmer Cabrera hoped, due to an injury to Alberth Elis. Both teams would continue to have opportunities and not convert. In the 38th minute, Dynamo fans held their breath as arguably their best player, Romell Quioto, would stay down for a couple of minutes but luckily for Dynamo fans he got up. The Dynamo have been without Quioto for 3 games already this season.
The 1st half would end after the Dynamo would come close to extending the lead off of a corner kick, but the Whitecaps would deny them. The Dynamo would be up at the half 1-0.
The Dynamo were on the attack from the start of the 2nd half on. Very identical to Dynamo’s game against Orlando City when Houston scored 3 goals in the 2nd half. Unfortunately, the Dynamo were not getting their attempts in the back of the net. In the 56th minute, Wilmer Cabrera tried to speed up the offense by subbing in Andrew Wenger for Rommel Quioto. In the 67th minute, Cubo Torres was awarded a penalty putting the Dynamo up 2-0. That PK make would make Cubo 4 of 4 on penalty kicks on the season. The Dynamo would turn up the heat on the Whitecap defense as the 2nd half went on. An exceptional sign to see if you’re a Houston Dynamo fan. The Whitecaps would get their zero off of the scoreboard when Brek Shea would send a free kick into the back of the net. Dynamo would still be out in front 2-1. The Shea goal turned out to be a useless one, as Houston would melt the Whitecaps and stay undefeated at home. The Dynamo take this one at home 2-1. The goals being scored by Alberth Elis and Cubo Torres. The Whitecaps lone goal scored by Brek Shea.
After the game, Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera had some harsh criticism for how poorly this game was called tonight, saying that the referees caused both teams offenses to never gain a rhythm. Wilmer also talked about the tough road trip the Dynamo have ahead of them. The Dynamo will have their next 3 matchups on the road against Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dallas on the road in the coming weeks and won’t have their next home game until the 31st. To wrap it up here in Downtown Htown, The Dynamo stay undefeated at home and move atop the MLS Western Conference by melting the Whitecaps 2-1. Until the 31st, have a great month of May everyone!
