‘Caps earn first win in Houston as Kamara scores his 100th career MLS regular season goal
HOUSTON, Texas: Kei Kamara scored his 100th MLS regular season goal and Brek Shea scored in his home state as Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2-0-0) earned their first ever win in Houston, taking down the Dynamo (1-1-0) 2-1 on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.
It was a milestone match for Kamara, who was also making his 300th appearance in MLS, including playoffs.
Carl Robinson made one change to his starting lineup from opening day, bringing on Felipe for Cristian Techera and shifting Yordy Reyna out wide right.
Houston, who had the best home record in the Western Conference in 2017, were coming off of a dominating 4-0 home win over Atlanta to kick off the season, but Whitecaps FC were undaunted.
After a cagey opening to the match, the steel grey clad ‘Caps earned a penalty kick in the 26th minute when Houston centre back Philippe Senderos shoved Kamara in the box. The new ‘Caps front man made it two goals in his first two matches to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
In the 36th minute left back Marcel de Jong was forced out of the match with a rib contusion. Brek Shea subbed on at left wing, moving Alphonso Davies to left back.
Houston responded and tied the match in the 39th minute. After taking a pass in the box from Tomás Martínez, Alberth Elis patiently cut into the centre and struck a deflected shot into the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Following the break, the Dynamo came out aggressive to start the second half, but it was the ‘Caps who took the lead in the 49th minute. Shea got the ball on the left wing and played a quick one-two combination with Kamara, sending him in a on a breakaway which he promptly finished to make the score 2-1.
Later, in a six-minute span, Stefan Marinovic came up with the two biggest saves of the six he made on the night, first sprawling to his left to stop a quick shot from Elis.
After a cagey opening to the match, the steel grey clad ‘Caps earned a penalty kick in the 26th minute when Houston centre back Philippe Senderos shoved Kamara in the box. The new ‘Caps front man made it two goals in his first two matches to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
In the 36th minute left back Marcel de Jong was forced out of the match with a rib contusion. Brek Shea subbed on at left wing, moving Alphonso Davies to left back.
Houston responded and tied the match in the 39th minute. After taking a pass in the box from Tomás Martínez, Alberth Elis patiently cut into the centre and struck a deflected shot into the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Following the break, the Dynamo came out aggressive to start the second half, but it was the ‘Caps who took the lead in the 49th minute. Shea got the ball on the left wing and played a quick one-two combination with Kamara, sending him in a on a breakaway which he promptly finished to make the score 2-1.
Later, in a six-minute span, Stefan Marinovic came up with the two biggest saves of the six he made on the night, first sprawling to his left to stop a quick shot from Elis.
Then the New Zealand international stopped a point-blank shot in the box from Andrew Wenger to preserve the lead.
Houston would press for an equalizer, but the ‘Caps held strong to come away with a big victory in their first road match of the 2018 season.
Whitecaps FC are back on the road next Saturday against Atlanta United FC before returning to BC Place to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, March 24. For ticket information visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
NOTES
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Kamara is the 10th player in MLS history to score 100 regular season goals. He has scored in his first two matches for Whitecaps FC
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The win was the first ever for Whitecaps FC in Houston. The Dynamo lost only once at home in 2017, posting the best home record in the Western Conference
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Felipe made his first start for Whitecaps FC
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Jordon Mutch made his Whitecaps FC debut, subbing on for Russell Teibert in the 70th minute
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Stefan Marinovic
Referee: Ted Unkel
Attendance: 16,082
Referee: Ted Unkel
Attendance: 16,082
Scoring Summary
28′ – VAN – Kei Kamara (penalty kick)
39′ – HOU – Alberth Elis (Tomás Martínez, Eric Alexander)
49′ – HOU – Brek Shea (Kei Kamara)
Statistics
Possession: Houston 67.3% – Vancouver 32.7%
Possession: Houston 67.3% – Vancouver 32.7%
Shots: Houston 21 – Vancouver 7
Shots on Goal: Houston 7 – Vancouver 3
Saves: Houston 1 – Vancouver 6
Fouls: Houston 9 – Vancouver 10
Offsides: Houston 3 – Vancouver 1
Corners: Houston 15 – Vancouver 4
Shots on Goal: Houston 7 – Vancouver 3
Saves: Houston 1 – Vancouver 6
Fouls: Houston 9 – Vancouver 10
Offsides: Houston 3 – Vancouver 1
Corners: Houston 15 – Vancouver 4
Cautions
12′ – VAN – Russell Teibert
12′ – VAN – Russell Teibert
24′ – VAN – Kei Kamara
29′ – HOU – Philippe Senderos
65′ – HOU – Darwin Cerén
88′ – VAN – Stefan Marinovic
Houston Dynamo
18.Chris Seitz; 3.Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos (16.Kevin Garcia HT), 22.Leonardo, 7.DaMarcus Beasley; 24.Darwin Cerén, 6.Eric Alexander; 17.Alberth Elis, 10.Tomás Martínez (12.Arturo Álvarez 68′), 11.Andrew Wenger; 9.Mauro Manotas (31.Romell Quioto 55′)
Substitutes not used
23.Joe Willis, 2.Alejandro Fuenmayor, 8.Memo Rodríguez, 27.Boniek Garcia
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinovic; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 22.Aaron Maund, 17.Marcel de Jong (20.Brek Shea 36′); 31.Russell Teibert (77.Jordon Mutch 70′); 29.Yordy Reyna, 6.Efrain Juárez, 8.Felipe, 67.Alphonso Davies; 23.Kei Kamara (9.Anthony Blondell 58′)
Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 11.Nicolás Mezquida, 13.Cristian Techera, 18.José Aja
