Report and Reaction: Shea is ain’t so! Vancouver grab first ever win in Houston to keep 100% start to the season
The wait for that elusive first win in Houston is finally over for Vancouver Whitecaps. The ‘Caps took their strong away record to Texas and came away with a hard fought 2-1 victory against a Dynamo side that had over 20 shots and two thirds of the possession, but couldn’t deal with the ‘Caps fast paced counters.
Kei Kamara fired the Whitecaps ahead from the spot in the 28th minute, against the run of play, before the constant danger of Alberth Elis finally paid off with an equaliser six minutes before half time. But Vancouver’s deadly counter play paid off again four minutes into the second half when Texan terror Brek Shea fired the ‘Caps back into the lead, for what proved to be the match winner.
Carl Robinson made one change from the team that beat Montreal at B.C. Place in Sunday’s season opener. Cristian Techera dropped to the bench with Yordy Reyna moving out wide and Felipe taking on the number ten role in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
It was a battle between the team with the best home record in the West and the one with the best away form over these past couple of seasons, and both sides headed into the match full of confidence after First Kick victories last weekend.
Houston were hoping to build on their demolition of Atlanta and had a couple of good early chances to open the scoring. Andrew Wenger had the first six minutes in, blasting over an Alberth Elis cross from a good position. Mauro Manotas then had a chance a minute later but headed over.
The home side were making all the running, without any shots of note, but Vancouver shocked their hosts when they went ahead in the 28th minute. Kamara was sent to the ground in the box from a push in the back, then picked himself up to fire home the subsequent spot kick for his 100th MLS goal in his 300th MLS match.
Just call him Mr.
! Kei Kamara's 100th MLS goal puts @WhitecapsFC up 1-0 on the road. #HOUvVAN https://t.co/M31qoJsyos
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 10, 2018
Vancouver were forced into an early change when Marcel de Jong had to be subbed off in the 36th minute with what turned out to be a rib contusion that saw him taken to a Houston hospital. Shea came on, with Alphonso Davies slotting into the left back role.
The ‘Caps had an unexpected lead, but it wasn’t to last and the Dynamo restored parity six minutes before the break when Elis did well to cut inside in the box and drive the ball past Jake Nerwinski, Aaron Maund, and Stefan Marinovic to tie things up at one apiece.
It was a poor goal to lose, with Nerwinski jumping in and both defenders should have got a block on the shot.
We're allllll level in Houston! @alberthelis17 scores to make it 1-1. #HOUvVAN https://t.co/zdqgJM4YEz
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 10, 2018
Houston pushed for a second before the interval and Vancouver had a chance on a quick breakaway, but Davies took a step too long and was closed down before he could get a decent shot off.
And that was it for the first half.
The Dynamo nearly got off to a dream start within seconds of the restart but Tomas Martinez’s dipping shot landed on the top of the ‘Caps goal.
But as Houston again enjoyed some possession, Vancouver’s quick counter did some damage to the Dynamo in the 49th minute.
Shea picked up a clearance in the middle of the ‘Caps half, powered forward, and played a quick give and go with Kamara to surge past the Dynamo defence towards goal, coolly slotting home past Chris Seitz to restore Vancouver’s lead.
Bre(a)kway Brek.#VWFC #HereWeCome https://t.co/oI8hfEKRUp
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) March 11, 2018
Houston tried to up their pressure and Marinovic was forced into a low, sprawling 56th minute save from a quick turn and shot from Elis.
Vancouver responded with a dipping long range effort from Kamara that just skimmed over, in what was the striker’s last action of the match, as he made way for Anthony Blondell.
Marinovic was called into action again just past the hour mark when Andrew Wenger was allowed too much time and space in the box by Maund, turning to get off a shot, which the Kiwi dealt with excellently.
The ‘Caps started to knock the ball about a little, as game management came into play, but they forced a couple of good chances, the best of which being a fierce long range shot from Blondell in the 76th minute that Seitz had to parry.
Both sides had their chances in the closing minutes and should have done better, with neither ‘keeper being really tested, as the six minutes of stoppage time ticked by and finally ended.
It was a great win for the Whitecaps against a Dynamo side that destroyed Atlanta last week. Houston certainly had their chances, and Vancouver had a few palpitation causing moments in defence, but they held firm for the most part to come away with the three points, maintaining their perfect start to the new season.
They’ll now look to continue that with a tough trip to Atlanta next week. Should be another good test to see what this team is made of.
FINAL SCORE: Houston Dynamo 1 -2 Vancouver Whitecaps
ATT: 16,082
HOUSTON: Chris Seitz; Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos (Kevin Garcia 46), Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley; Eric Alexander, Darwin Ceren, Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez (Arturo Alvarez 68), Andrew Wenger; Mauro Manotas (Romell Quioto 55) [Subs Not Used: Joe Willis, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Oscar Boniek Garcia, Memo Rodriguez]
VANCOUVER: Stefan Marinovic; Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Aaron Maund, Marcel de Jong (Brek Shea 36); Russell Teibert (Jordon Mutch 70), Efrain Juarez, Yordy Reyna, Felipe Martins, Alphonso Davies; Kei Kamara (Anthony Blondell 58) [Subs Not Used: Brian Rowe, Jose Aja, Nicolas Mezquida, Cristian Techera]
REACTION:
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The wait for that elusive first win in Houston is finally over for Vancouver Whitecaps. The ‘Caps took their strong away record to Texas and came away with a hard fought 2-1 victory against a Dynamo side that had over 20 shots and two thirds of the possession, but couldn’t deal with the ‘Caps fast paced counters.
Kei Kamara fired the Whitecaps ahead from the spot in the 28th minute, against the run of play, before the constant danger of Alberth Elis finally paid off with an equaliser six minutes before half time. But Vancouver’s deadly counter play paid off again four minutes into the second half when Texan terror Brek Shea fired the ‘Caps back into the lead, for what proved to be the match winner.
Carl Robinson made one change from the team that beat Montreal at B.C. Place in Sunday’s season opener. Cristian Techera dropped to the bench with Yordy Reyna moving out wide and Felipe taking on the number ten role in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
It was a battle between the team with the best home record in the West and the one with the best away form over these past couple of seasons, and both sides headed into the match full of confidence after First Kick victories last weekend.
Houston were hoping to build on their demolition of Atlanta and had a couple of good early chances to open the scoring. Andrew Wenger had the first six minutes in, blasting over an Alberth Elis cross from a good position. Mauro Manotas then had a chance a minute later but headed over.
The home side were making all the running, without any shots of note, but Vancouver shocked their hosts when they went ahead in the 28th minute. Kamara was sent to the ground in the box from a push in the back, then picked himself up to fire home the subsequent spot kick for his 100th MLS goal in his 300th MLS match.
Just call him Mr.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 10, 2018
Vancouver were forced into an early change when Marcel de Jong had to be subbed off in the 36th minute with what turned out to be a rib contusion that saw him taken to a Houston hospital. Shea came on, with Alphonso Davies slotting into the left back role.
The ‘Caps had an unexpected lead, but it wasn’t to last and the Dynamo restored parity six minutes before the break when Elis did well to cut inside in the box and drive the ball past Jake Nerwinski, Aaron Maund, and Stefan Marinovic to tie things up at one apiece.
It was a poor goal to lose, with Nerwinski jumping in and both defenders should have got a block on the shot.
We're allllll level in Houston! @alberthelis17 scores to make it 1-1. #HOUvVAN https://t.co/zdqgJM4YEz
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 10, 2018
Houston pushed for a second before the interval and Vancouver had a chance on a quick breakaway, but Davies took a step too long and was closed down before he could get a decent shot off.
And that was it for the first half.
The Dynamo nearly got off to a dream start within seconds of the restart but Tomas Martinez’s dipping shot landed on the top of the ‘Caps goal.
But as Houston again enjoyed some possession, Vancouver’s quick counter did some damage to the Dynamo in the 49th minute.
Shea picked up a clearance in the middle of the ‘Caps half, powered forward, and played a quick give and go with Kamara to surge past the Dynamo defence towards goal, coolly slotting home past Chris Seitz to restore Vancouver’s lead.
Bre(a)kway Brek.#VWFC #HereWeCome https://t.co/oI8hfEKRUp
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) March 11, 2018
Houston tried to up their pressure and Marinovic was forced into a low, sprawling 56th minute save from a quick turn and shot from Elis.
Vancouver responded with a dipping long range effort from Kamara that just skimmed over, in what was the striker’s last action of the match, as he made way for Anthony Blondell.
Marinovic was called into action again just past the hour mark when Andrew Wenger was allowed too much time and space in the box by Maund, turning to get off a shot, which the Kiwi dealt with excellently.
The ‘Caps started to knock the ball about a little, as game management came into play, but they forced a couple of good chances, the best of which being a fierce long range shot from Blondell in the 76th minute that Seitz had to parry.
Both sides had their chances in the closing minutes and should have done better, with neither ‘keeper being really tested, as the six minutes of stoppage time ticked by and finally ended.
It was a great win for the Whitecaps against a Dynamo side that destroyed Atlanta last week. Houston certainly had their chances, and Vancouver had a few palpitation causing moments in defence, but they held firm for the most part to come away with the three points, maintaining their perfect start to the new season.
They’ll now look to continue that with a tough trip to Atlanta next week. Should be another good test to see what this team is made of.
FINAL SCORE: Houston Dynamo 1 -2 Vancouver Whitecaps
ATT: 16,082
HOUSTON: Chris Seitz; Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos (Kevin Garcia 46), Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley; Eric Alexander, Darwin Ceren, Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez (Arturo Alvarez 68), Andrew Wenger; Mauro Manotas (Romell Quioto 55) [Subs Not Used: Joe Willis, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Oscar Boniek Garcia, Memo Rodriguez]
VANCOUVER: Stefan Marinovic; Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Aaron Maund, Marcel de Jong (Brek Shea 36); Russell Teibert (Jordon Mutch 70), Efrain Juarez, Yordy Reyna, Felipe Martins, Alphonso Davies; Kei Kamara (Anthony Blondell 58) [Subs Not Used: Brian Rowe, Jose Aja, Nicolas Mezquida, Cristian Techera]
REACTION:
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