VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps demonstrated how good they are often, but in addition confirmed they nonetheless have to be higher in a 4-3 loss to the Houston Dynamo in a Main League Soccer match Saturday night time that snapped their six-game unbeaten streak.
Striker Fafa Picault scored twice and assisted on a objective by defender Ranko Veselinovic because the Whitecaps battled again from a 2-0, first-half deficit to take a 3-2 lead. The Dynamo then shocked the gang of 24,114 at BC Place Stadium by scoring twice in 9 minutes for the street win.
“It’s robust if you concede two objectives like that,” stated Veselinovic. “They have been all good objectives, however we have to do higher as a group to not permit them to reach at these spots really easy.”
Houston’s Griffin Dorsey scored his second objective of the night time with a shot by means of site visitors within the 87th minute. The Dynamo’s Brad Smith tied the match 3-3 with a blast that went previous Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka’s hand within the 78th minute.
“We couldn’t end,” stated Veselinovic. “I’m completely happy how we responded within the second half. It’s simply we lack in some video games this season the maturity to shut out video games.”
Including to the loss, Vancouver all-star striker Ryan Gauld left the sport within the twenty fourth minute with a proper knee harm.
Head coach Vanni Sartini stated he didn’t know if the harm will forestall Gauld from taking part in in Wednesday’s MLS all-star recreation.
Picault’s first objective got here on a header within the forty eighth minute. He gave Vancouver a 3-2 lead within the 66th minute when he directed in a go from defender Sam Adekugbe. Picault has scored eight instances throughout all competitions, and it was his third consecutive recreation with a objective.
Veselinovic tied the match within the 54th minute, heading in a ball despatched into the field by Picault.
The Whitecaps (11-8-5) misplaced for the primary time in six MLS video games (4-1-1) and 7 (5-1-1) throughout all competitions.
Midfielder Coco Carrasquilla additionally scored for the Dynamo (10-7-7) who’ve only one loss of their final 10 matches (5-1-4).
The loss drops Vancouver into fifth place within the MLS Western Convention with 38 factors whereas Houston climbed into sixth with 37.
Carrasquilla put Houston forward within the twenty ninth minute. Ibrahim Aliyu made a pair good strikes across the Whitecap defenders then fed the ball to Carrasquilla in entrance of the web. His shot went off Veselinovic and previous goalkeeper Takaoka.
Dorsey took benefit of a damaged play to place Houston up 2-0 within the thirty sixth minute. A shot deflected off Vancouver defender Bjorn Utvik and rolled to Dorsey, who scored on an extended shot that curved inside the fitting publish.
Sartini favored the combat his group confirmed to get again into the sport however wasn’t proud of the end.
“It’s been an unlucky night time,” he stated. “I feel this recreation will carry us even nearer (collectively) as a group.
“There’s a variety of positives that we will take from tonight.”
Earlier than the sport the Whitecaps introduced Quinn Thompson had been named the group’s technical director. Reporting to sporting director Axel Schuster, Thompson will oversee roster development and wage price range, participant relations, plus participant recruitment technique together with senior director of analytics, insights, and analysis Dr. Johann Windt.
Thompson, a 28-year-old native of Vancouver, is the youngest technical director within the league.
Gauld injured himself battling for the ball within the twenty fourth minute. He was sprawled on the sector for a number of minutes then left the pitch below his personal steam, returned to play briefly however was changed a couple of minutes later by Brian Raposo.
NOTES
Vancouver had a shot on objective 4 minutes into the sport. The Dynamo didn’t permit a shot in objective in a 1-0 win over San Jose on Wednesday. … The Whitecaps and Dynamo play once more Sept. 18 in Houston. … Vancouver’s final loss was 2-0 in Portland on June 22. … The Whitecaps play seven of their ultimate 11 league video games at house. … Not dressed for the Whitecaps have been defenders Tristan Blackmon (groin) and Mathias Laborda (ankle) plus goalkeeper Joe Bendik (again). … The Whitecaps celebrated their eleventh anniversary Pleasure Match with a ’Caps & Queens Drag Completely satisfied Hour outdoors of BC Place earlier than the sport.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps subsequent MLS recreation is at house towards LAFC on Aug. 24. They play Wrexham, the Welsh soccer membership collectively owned by Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds, in a pleasant at BC Place Stadium on July 27, then face LAFC in a Leagues Cup match July 30 on the street. The Whitecaps host Tijuana in one other Leagues Cup match Aug. 3. Houston hosts the Mexican facet Atlas FC July 27, then Actual Salt Lake Aug. 5 in Leagues Cup matches earlier than taking part in Toronto FC Aug. 24 at house.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed July 20, 2024.
Jim Morris, The Canadian Press