Vancouver Whitecaps 2-Houston Dynamo 1
The Vancouver Whitecaps team survived a difficult visit to Houston and beat the Dynamo 2-1 in match marked by controversial officiating calls. With this win, Vancouver remains perfect on the season with six out of six points. On the other hand, the Orange lost at home for the first time after beating Atlanta 4-0 a week ago.
Yes, the Houston Dynamo dominated Atlanta in their home opener, and this match against Whitecaps was not different as the one a week ago. Houston controlled the possession of the ball 67% of the time. Also, the home team had 21 shots (7 on target) and took a franchise-record 15 corner kicks in a match.
So, if the Dynamo dominated their rival, why did they lose? Well, everything can be summarized with one word. EFFICENCY! Vancouver took advantage of the mistakes the home team had during the match, and that is why they won.
The first goal of the match came in at the 39th minute after Kei Kamara scored via Penalty kick. This was the 100th goal of Kamara’s MLS career. At this point, the pressure that Houston was applying on Vancouver’s first third and at midfield was intensified. That strategy paid off when Alberth Elis scored the equalizer at the 39thminute for the partial 1-1 at the half.
The second half had the same dynamic as the first one. Houston created many chance to go up on the scoreboard without any success. The team that was efficient in their last third was Vancouver, which took advantage of a defensive mistake at the 49th minute when Brek Shea shot went in for the 2-1.
After the Whitecaps regained the lead, the Dynamo kept pressuring their rivals creating many opportunities, but the 2-1, was at the end, the final score.
Controversial Calls:
There were many controversial calls during the match. Alberth Elis seemed to be fouled inside the box in two different occasions, but the referee did not call a penalty kick for the Dynamo. In addition, there was an evident foul from Kei Kamara on Darwin Ceren that should have been a red card for the Sierra Leonean, but the referee did not even call a foul.
Overall, Vancouver Whitecaps victory was fair. They scored the goals, but the outcome of the match could have been different if the referee had made the correct calls as well as the Dynamo finish the plays with goals.
What is next for these teams:
Houston now will be traveling to the nation’s capital as they will be playing against DC United, whereas the Whitecaps will have another difficult away match as they visit Atlanta United on Saturday 17th.
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Jose Castellanos
Houston Dynamo
Vancouver Whitecaps
