|
Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
July 23, 2015 |
|
Twitter
@HarJournalist
|
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device |
|
|
|
|
|
|
VANCOUVER, B.C - It was a scorcher at BBVA Compass Stadium as the Vancouver Whitecaps took on the Houston Dynamo. The Caps were looking for their first point in eleven trips to the 'Lone Star State', and they finally achieved that thanks to a 0-0 draw against the Dynamo before a crowd of 16,465. Vancouver now holds an 0-11-1 away record against the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. Vancouver's MLS record sits at 8-8-6 on the season with a trip Toyota Stadium to take on FC Dallas next Sunday.
Manager Carl Robinson offered up his thoughts on his team’s performance and the tough elements.
"The game is about scoring goals. I think both teams today showed a lot of effort, determination, but lacked a little bit of quality in the final third. I'm proud of the effort of the guys today, I really am. First point we’ve managed to get in Texas in five years since the club has come into Major League Soccer. A little bit of a pat on the back for those guys in there. They deserved it. It’s a difficult place to play. It’s hot, the grass is different, but it was a good game. I think both teams could've won it. One point in the end for both teams."
Whitecaps centre-back Tim Parker talked about how well the back-four played together and defended.
"I think it was a good game for us. I think we got back to defending very well and got organized. We gave up limited chances and we defended our box very well, but I think it’s important that we walked out of here with a point. It’s (the heat) hard for us to play in but both teams have to deal with it so we were ready for that problem coming in, but I felt that the boys handled it pretty well tonight."
The Opening 45
Cole Seiler made his MLS debut after being drafted 16th overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. The 22 year-old started at right-back for the Whitecaps and didn't look a bit out of place. Houston can be a difficult place to play for any footballer, but for Seiler everything worked out well.
"There were definitely some nerves coming into the game," said Seiler. "It’s weird because usually you’re waiting for a good pass to unsettle your nerves but mine was more of a huge mistake and they almost scored, but once they didn’t score it was a huge relief."
The opening forty-five was cautiously played as both teams wanted to save their energy for a strong 90 minute effort in the blazing Texas heat. Opening kickoff featured temperatures of 32C with the humidity making it feel like 38C on the pitch. A water break was called for in the 30' minute to help both teams stay refreshed and alert.
The match reflected the heat index as both teams struggled to put together consistent efforts in the opposition's box. Houston's Erick Torres and Will Bruin created the most havoc for Vancouver's back-line, and that resulted in David Ousted making a phenomenal diving save off Bruin in the 43' minute. Tim Parker had a perfect view of Ousted'a acrobatic save and he was surprised by his keeper’s terrific save.
"That’s what we rely on Dave (Ousted). In my eyes he’s the best goalie in the league and those are the kind of saves that he makes and that’s what we have him for."
The first half ended scoreless and the Whitecaps maintained a 57% - 43% possession advantage. Dynamo centre-back Raul Rodriguez left the match in the 13' min with an unknown injury.
The Second Half
Offense was clearly at a premium and both teams had trouble finding chances and finishing in the final third. Houston looked more likely to find the back of the net, but Vancouver had a secret weapon in David Ousted, and he was doing his best to keep the visitors off the score-sheet.
Houston skipper Boniek Garcia had a brilliant chance to put the home side in the good in the 71' minute. Torres sent a ball across the Whitecaps box, and Bruin dummied the ball. The Honduras international fired a strike off the near post as David Ousted was beaten, but bailed out by his beloved post.
Erik Hurtado looked as if he has broken the deadlock in the 83' minute, but his goal was called back.
Hurtado played the ball down off his right shoulder, however the assistant referee called the play on an offside call. To make matters worse, Hurtado was issued a yellow card. It was just that kind of evening for both teams. Neither side did enough to score and when they did get forward, David Ousted and Joe Willis were up to the task. Each club had to settle for one point, and a clean sheet in the Texas heat.
Man of the Match:
David Ousted
David Ousted was fantastic and made 4 saves on the tonight. The Danish shot-stopper picked up his 5th clean sheet of the season and was a big difference in Vancouver being able to hold of the Houston Dynamo. This was Vancouver's first point picked up in the state of Texas and David Ousted was a big reason why they were able to do that.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Cole Seiler, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Andrew Jacobson, Matias Laba; Christian Bolaños, Nicolas Mezquida, 67 (Blas Perez) Pedro Morales; Masato Kudo, 74 (Erik Hurtado) 4-2-3-1
Houston Dynamo Starting XI: Joe Willis; Sheanon Williams, David Horst, Raul Rodríguez, 13 (Abdoulie Mansally) Jalil Anibaba; Andrew Wenger, 67 (Cristian Maidana) Alex, Collen Warner, 80 (Giles Barnes) Boniek García(C); Erick Torres, Will Bruin. 4-4-2
|