Houston Dynamo settle for draw against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps

Following a disappointing midweek loss at Minnesota United FC, the Houston Dynamo hoped to rebound back at BBVA Stadium against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite a strong showing in several metrics including possession and number of shots, the offense struggled to produce in the 0-0 draw. The defense did well to limit the Whitecaps who had 5 total shots with just 1 on target, but the offense looked out of sync and failed to get on the score sheet.

The opening minutes saw the Dynamo controlling a lot of the possession and showing energy going forward, but they struggled to combine in the final third of the field despite doing well working the ball out of the back to the midfield.

The Dynamo had the first quality chance of the game which came in the 9^th minute. Maynor Figueroa played a long ball out of the back over the top of the Vancouver back line which found Fafà Picault in on goal. He played a ball passed Whitecaps’ goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, but the ball struck the far post and was quickly saved afterwards.

As the half went on, the Dynamo continued to control possession and limit the Whitecaps from getting into Houston’s half often, but with Vancouver keeping numbers back, the Dynamo had trouble breaking down the defense to create quality opportunities. Houston looked the most dangerous after winning back possession and quickly transitioning the ball to offense.

Just before the 30 minute mark, Houston had a pair of chances to get the opening goal, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities. A long ball out of the back again had Picault on goal with just one defender between him and the keeper. He tried to take the defender on and go around him, but the eventual shot would be blocked and cleared. Just a minute later Sam Junqua was free on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross towards Darwin Quintero, but the final touch was poor and shot was easily saved.

At halftime the two sides would be level at 0-0. Houston was largely in control with the majority of possession and shots, but the quality of the shots were often poor. Defensively, the Dynamo can be proud to have limited the Whitecaps to just a single shot which was not on target.

The Dynamo got off to a quick start in the second half with Darwin Quintero looking to pick out Matías Vera on a cross. It was a perfect delivery, but Florian Jungwirth was quicker to the ball and made a crucial clearance for Vancouver. Just a few minutes later Junqua, from the wing, played a ball across goal which Picault tried to direct into the goal, but Houston again was unlucky with Crépeau able to come up with the save.

Vancouver had a decent look in the 76^th minute with a poor back pass by the Dynamo to their goalkeeper Michael Nelson which saw Déiber Caicedo attempt to capitalize on the error, but Teenage Hadebe did well to win it back and draw a foul. Just a minute later, Tyler Pasher tried his luck from distance but Crépeau made the initial save. He spilled it and Quintero tried to finish it, but a defender was able to clear it for a corner kick.

Picault finally found the net for the Dynamo just before the 80^th minute, but unfortunately he was well offside on the play. In the 84^th minute Griffin Dorsey forced a save of the week from Crépeau. Dorsey curled one towards the upper corner, but a leaping one handed save pushed the ball over the bar out for a corner.

After 90 minutes the two sides would walk away level at 0-0. Houston was clearly the stronger side who controlled possession and had more shots overall, but the quality of those shots wasn’t always very good and the Whitecaps goalkeeper made some strong saves to keep things tied. Still the lack of cohesion along with poor service and that missing final pass or touch really hurt the Dynamo in what could’ve been a win at home.

Next up for the Dynamo is a Sunday afternoon game when they travel to Children’s Mercy Park to face Sporting Kansas City at 3:00 PM CT on October 3^rd.

Goals:

None

Disciplinary:

47’ VAN: Michael Baldisimo (yellow card)

55’ VAN: Cristian Dájome (yellow card)

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo (3-4-1-2): Michael Nelson; Maynor Figueroa, Teenage Hadebe, Tim Parker; Sam Junqua, Darwin Cerén, Matías Vera (89’ Memo Rodríguez), Griffin Dorsey; Darwin Quintero; Fafà Picault (80’ Maxi Urruti), Corey Baird (65’ Tyler Pasher)

Vancouver Whitecaps (3-4-1-2): Maxime Crépeau; Jake Nerwinski, Michael Baldisimo, Andy Rose; Patrick Metcalfe (HT Déiber Caicedo), Leonard Owusu (HT Florian Jungwirth), Janio Bikel (75’ Russell Teibert), Javain Brown; Ryan Raposo (58’ Ryan Gauld); Lucas Cavallini (HT Brian White), Cristian Dájome