HOUSTON, TX – The state of Texas hasn’t been kind to Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-8L-5D) in MLS. In 10 previous visits, the ‘Caps have come up emptyhanded. Not a single point.
As Carl Robinson so often says, however, records are meant to be broken.
And there’s no time like the present.
The ‘Caps are headed south for back-to-back matches in the Texas heat – starting Saturday evening against Houston Dynamo (4W-9L-6D).
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. PT | TV: TSN2 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
In MLS play, the ‘Caps have lost just one of their last five matches.
They’ve scored nine goals during that period, including two in each of their last three outings, but they’re still looking to tidy things up defensively.
“We’ve given up way too many goals,” Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted told reporters on Thursday. “I think we have the quality to score goals, even away, but going into Houston and Dallas now, two very hot games, we need to manage the game correctly and keep the ball. And I think we have the personnel to do that.”
That includes Canadian centre back David Edgar, who played just over an hour and scored a goal on Tuesday in his Whitecaps FC debut against English Premier League club Crystal Palace FC.
But Robinson said on Thursday that Edgar’s MLS debut may have to wait.
The 29-year-old is still working up to full fitness and Robinson said he cramped a bit on Tuesday, so “going to play in the heat at Houston might not be the best thing.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Dynamo enter the weekend at the bottom of the West with a 4W-9L-6D record.
Most of their struggles have come on the road, where they’ve yet to win a game. At home, they are 4W-1L-3D, so the ‘Caps won’t be expecting a walk in the park by any means.
“Any game in this league is very difficult,” Robinson told reporters. “We know that. On any day, anyone can beat anyone as has been proven numerous times. We know it’s a difficult game, it’s a difficult place to go and play, but we’ll be ready.”
Houston, who are coming off a midweek U.S. Open Cup defeat to FC Dallas, have been quite steady defensively as of late, conceding just three goals in their last four games in all competitions. The challenge has been at the other end of the park, as they’ve now been shut out in three straight matches if you include Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at FC Dallas.
KEY MATCHUPS
Kendall Waston (CB) vs. Will Bruin (FWD): Waston, who was named to the MLS All-Star roster this past weekend, missed Vancouver’s last two matches against Houston due to international duty. Don’t expect him to miss this one. The 6-foot-5 Costa Rican should be in for a physical battle with Dynamo striker Will Bruin, a big boy himself who’s always a handful up front.
Christian Bolaños (RW) vs. Dynamo left back: Bolaños has been one of Vancouver’s most consistent, and dangerous, players as of late. In fact, he has played the full 90 minutes in seven straight matches, if you include the Amway Canadian Championship. It’s unclear who will occupy the left back position for Houston with DaMarcus Beasley sidelined, but either way, this will be a matchup to watch.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Whitecaps FC record vs. Houston: 5W-3L-1D
Whitecaps FC record in Houston: 0W-3L-0D
This will be the third and final meeting between Vancouver and Houston this season, with both the previous encounters being held at BC Place. Whitecaps FC opened the season series with a 1-0 win back on March 26, before playing to a 1-1 draw on May 28.
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