The Vancouver Whitecaps are coming off a huge 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy. They will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday, July 20th vs the Houston Dynamo. It was the first win after an 8 game winless streak for Vancouver. Things were starting to look very dim as people were calling for Marc Dos Santos’s job.
How a win can change things as Vancouver is right back into the playoff mix. Coming into Tuesday night’s action they sat just 4 points behind in the MLS Western Conference standings. Two big second-half goals saw Vancouver able to get past a 5th-minute goal from Rayan Raveloson.
A 48th-minute goal by Deiber Caicedo equalized things early in the half for the Whitecaps. Vancouver was the more aggressive team and some nice play in the Galaxy box would between Brain White and Cristina Dajome lead to the 2nd goal and dancing! Could Vancouver use this as a building block for Tuesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium vs Houston Dynamo? Marc Dos Santos noted the team needs to address the slow starts.
“We’re trying to figure it out… We have to find a way of coming in and setting the tone because they get that goal at the fourth minute that is incredibly passive. I’ll speak with my staff. Should we review a couple of things during the warm-up? Should we do something right before the kickoff? We have to try to find solutions.”
Houston head coach Tab Ramos will try and motivate his squad after almost 2 weeks off. The Houston Dynamo haven’t played since July 7th in a 2-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Despite a scoreless first half they gave up a goal to the Sounders in the 62nd minute to Kelyn Rowe. They couldn’t claw back and Seattle tacked on a late goal in stoppage time.
It will be a battle of teams in the bottom half of the MLS Western Conference. Vancouver can match Houston with 15 points if they are able to get all 3 points. It will be an important match for the Whitecaps who will be playing their 2nd of 3 matches in 8 days. Let’s see how the lineups look for Tuesday evening.
New’s, Notes And Lineups Vs Houston As The Whitecaps Are Coming Off A Huge 2-1 Victory
Lucas Cavallini and Maxime Crepeau are still away on National team duty with Canada. This means Marc Dos Santos, will once again, have to look to Thomas Hasal in net and Brian White up top. vancouver would make two changes to the starting lineup from Saturday night. Jake Nerwinski would swap in for Javain Brown while Andy Rose would return to CB for Erik Godoy.
Brian White, Deiber Caicedo and Cristian Dajome get the start up front once again after a solid showing against the LA Galaxy. Veteran Russell Teibert joins Janio Bikel and Michael Baldisimo in the mid field. The back line for Vancouver goes from left to right, Cristian Gutierrez, Andy Rose, Ranko Veselinovic, and Jake Nerwinski. Thomos Hasal gets the start in net with Evan Newton backing up off the bench.
Houston will be without 5 players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Ramos would make several changes and switch the formation from the last match. Maxi Urruti and Fafa Picault will lurk up top while Derrick Jones, Joe Corona and Matias Vera will play high in the midfield. Adam Lundkvist, Sam Junqua, Teenage Hadebe, Zarek Valentin and Captain Tim Parker will roam the backline.
The Sports Talk Line Network And The Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to prove rust is worse than the rest as they take on the Houston Dynamo. Make sure to check back at Sports Talk Line for a post-game recap, post-game media, the Unnamed Moments Of The Match, and much more.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter @JoshuaGriffith0 for the in-game updates and analysis. And all the latest after the Whitecaps are coming off a huge 2-1 victory.
