The Dynamo lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday afternoon in Orlando 1-0. Houston started with a mostly reserve squad, less than 48 hours after their draw with Sporting KC. The young trialist in the midfield were unable to generate any real attack for the Dynamo and Warren Creavalle and Tyler Deric both gave up penalties against Whitecaps forward Long Tan.
Not the most impressive match and terrible one to watch, but I'm sure Kinnear and the coaches got some valuable information from the afternoon's festivities.
Here's the official match report from the Dynamo:
ORLANDO, Fla. (Sunday, February 26, 2012) The Houston Dynamo suffered a 1-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday in their second game of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. A first half penalty goal from Sebastien Le Toux held up for Vancouver as the Dynamo lost for just the second time this preseason.
With Sundays game coming less than 48 hours after Fridays 0-0 draw with Sporting KC, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnears lineup included ten changes, with trialist Warren Creavalle the only holdover from Fridays match.
In the 14th minute, Chinese forward Long Tan was taken down in the box by Creavalle for a penalty kick. Le Toux, acquired by Vancouver from Philadelphia Union in January, slotted the penalty kick for a 1-0 Whitecaps FC lead.
Two minutes later, Houston had its best chance of the first half to equalize. Josue Soto curled in a corner kick to a dangerous area in the center of the penalty area, where Andre Hainault met the cross for a strong header, which sailed just over the cross bar.
In the 25th minute, the Houston was awarded a free kick inside the Vancouver penalty area after goalkeeper Brad Knighton illegally handled a back pass. From 16 yards, Macoumba Kandji took a light touch to begin the ensuing set piece and left it for Soto, who drove a low shot that was blocked by the Vancouver wall.
Three minutes later, Le Toux broke away down the right flank on a counter attack off another Dynamo free kick. Le Toux found Tan alone behind the Dynamo defense and Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric took him down inside the top of the box as a second penalty was rewarded. Tan attempted to chip his spot kick down the middle of the goal but Deric held his ground for a surprisingly easy save.
In the 37th minute, midfielder Eder Arreola found defender Oscar Recio charging to goal at the top of the box. Recios touch lofted into the air long enough for Knighton to have to punch the ball away before colliding with Recio. Moments later, another free kick from Soto was headed towards the far post by Colin Rolfe, but it missed the target as the Dynamo continued to search for the tying goal.
In the 69th minute, Hainault served in a quality cross from the left side. Cam Weaver settled the ball and ripped a shot from 15 yards that missed the target.
Second half substitute Brad Davis created space in the 80th minute and delivered a trademark cross to longtime teammate Brian Ching. The Dynamo forward jumped and struck the cross well ten yards from goal, but the header went just over the cross bar as Houston remained scoreless.
Houstons final chance to equalize came in the 90th minute. Ching received a ball at the top of the penalty area and laid it off for Nathan Sturgis, who fired a low shot from 20 yards that missed wide of the far post.
The Dynamo continue the Disney Pro Soccer Classic on Wednesday when they face Montreal Impact at 7 p.m. CT
Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
February 26, 2012 – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Disney Pro Soccer Classic
Scoring Summary:
VAN - Sebastien Le Toux – 15’ (penalty kick)
Misconduct summary:
HOU – Tyler Deric 28
VAN – Jordan Harvey 54
HOU – Warren Creavalle 54
Houston Dynamo – Tyler Deric; Warren Creavalle, Nathan Sturgis, Andre Hainault, Oscar Recio; Josue Soto (Luiz Camargo 71), Emerson Sato (Alex Dixon 71), Colin Rolfe (Brad Davis 57); Macoumba Kandji (Brian Ching 71), Cam Weaver (Calen Carr 71), Eder Arreola (Brian Ownby 57)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Michael Boxall, Carlyle Mitchell, Jordan Harvey; Lee Nguyen (Russell Teibert 45), Gershon Koffie (Bryce Alderson 45'), Matt Watson, Michael Nanchoff (Bilal Duckett 75); Sebastien Le Toux (Caleb Clarke 67, Jun Marques Davidson 78), Long Tan (Darren Mattocks 82)