Houston Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo picked up a big three points with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Shell Energy Stadium Wednesday night. The victory moves the Dynamo into 4th place in the Western Conference and six points clear of 10th place Minnesota.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 4 - 1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistants: Ian McKay, Diego Blas
Fourth Official: Danielle Chesky
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
Attendance: 13,866
Weather: 86 degrees, clear skies
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Héctor Herrera (unassisted) 13’
HOU: Griffin Dorsey (Corey Baird) 44’
HOU: Iván Franco (Brad Smith) 73’
HOU: Aliyu Ibrahim (unassisted) 84’
VAN: Own goal (Erik Sviatchenko) 90’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
VAN: Ryan Raposo (caution; foul) 2’
VAN: Andres Cubas (caution; foul) 24’
HOU: Erik Sviatchenko (caution; foul) 8’
HOU: Sebastian Kowalczyk (caution; foul) 30’
HOU: Erik Sviatchenko (caution; foul) 36’
HOU: Corey Baird (caution; foul) 49’
HOU: Corey Baird (caution; foul) 52’
HOU: Micael (caution; foul) 60’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Steve Clark; Teenage Hadebe, Micael, Erik Sviatchenko, Griffin Dorsey; Luís Caicedo, Héctor Herrera (Brooklyn Raines 86’), Artur (Aliyu Ibrahim 78’); Nelson Quiñónes (Brad Smith 56’), Corey Baird, Sebastian Kowalczyk (Iván Franco 56’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Tarbell, Ethan Bartlow, Daniel Steres, Chase Gasper, Thorleifur Úlfarsson
Total shots: 6 (six players tied with 1)
Shots on goal: 5 (five players tied with 1)
Fouls: 18 (Sebastian Kowalczyk 3)
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 0
Saves: 4 (Steve Clark 4)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Yohei Takaoka; Tristan Blackmon, Mathías Laborda, Javain Brown, Andrés Cubas (Sebastian Berhalter 46’); Ryan Raposo (Junior Hoilett 46’), Richie Laryea (Levonte Johnson 77’), Ali Ahmed; Pedro Vite, Ryan Gauld (Jean-Claude Ngando 85’), Brian White (Simon Becher 67’)
Unused substitutes: Isaac Boehmer, Ranko Veselinovic, Alessandro Schöpf, Russell Teibert
Total shots: 11 (Ryan Gauld 4)
Shots on goal: 4 (four players tied with 1)
Fouls: 9 (Javain Brown 3)
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 1 (Yohei Takaoka)
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the result:
"It was a big three points. We’re disappointed in the last game, when we didn't maximize the points, and we gave that win away against St. Louis. So, it made these three points even more vital. There was some real tension about getting these points. I’m proud of the guys. It wasn't perfect. We changed some positions and some players in there, which changed the way we went about the game. We figured it out towards the second half and made some adjustments at halftime. I thought the second half was really good. We were efficient and we made the plays that mattered tonight.”
On the team scoring four goals:
“We've had days like this at home, where the goal seems big, and we're creating the right amount of chances. I don't think it was a crazy amount tonight. We actually had a lot more against St. Louis, and maybe even better chances. It was one of those nights where the goal seemed big, and we've had those more times than not here at home. As I said, that's not every time. We have to hang our hat on our defense and be committed to figuring that part out, so it gives us a chance.”
On the substitutions:
“(DF) Brad (Smith) I thought really came in and played his role perfectly in the match. (FW) Iván Franco did a good job as well. They were just like-for-like. There’s a lot of games, and guys get fatigued mentally and physically. It just needed to be freshened up. I thought they brought the right pace. It took a little bit though. When they got in, for about five or 10 minutes, we had to find our rhythm, and then when we settled down it was it was pretty good.”
On Hector Herrera’s leadership on this team:
“We go as Hector goes. We've said that from the start. His ability to dig and pull the strings and create for us, but also lead us in the right direction has been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of fun to work with him. We have a pretty good relationship, and he feels a real responsibility with this club and where it goes. He feels that pressure, and I think he's shown everyone he's an elite, a world-class soccer player. The guy played in Europe at one of the best teams in the world and several World Cups. It’s almost as if because he came here and for a couple of months, and he wasn't at the level he's at now, people wrote him off. I think he heard that as well. I think this is a personal thing with him, and that's great. But he's a great teammate across the board. It's been a real joy working with him so far.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO DEFENDER TEENAGE HADEBE
On returning after his leg injury:
“To me, it’s a good feeling. I really missed being with the guys and the fans. I just want to thank the fans for pushing us. It's not easy when you're coming from long-term injuries. I have been receiving messages on social media. It means a lot to me, I really appreciate that.”
On how difficult it was not being with the team due to injury:
“To be honest, I was tired and frustrated of watching the guys playing when I was at home. When you miss something that you like to do in life, you get frustrated. I didn't give up, I was supporting the team. Wherever they go, I was there with the team in spirit, but we keep pushing for the road to the playoffs. It means a lot to me. I'm happy to be back. It wasn't easy. I just want to say thank you for the three points.”
On the center back competition:
“I’m not just here to get numbers. It is also good for the team to have depth, whenever someone is not playing, we still have to call them. I was happy with the guys with the way they were playing once I was injured, they did a great job."
On his relationship with defender Erik Sviatchenko:
“He's a leader back there. It makes things easy for us, we communicate, I have a good relationship with him. Not only does Erik (Sviatchenko) have a relationship with the guys but they are playing at the peak and are responding together. That's why we fight for each other on the pitch.”
On the team and his personal goals:
“My goal is to finish the season strong and help the team make it to the playoffs. We are on the right track. Hopefully do well in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. We're gonna go to Miami and win it for the fans, for our family, for the club. This club deserves more, together we can make the city proud. I believe in this team.”
