Houston Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps - Staff picks
(image via Billy Mears)
The Houston Dynamo welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Shell Energy Stadium tonight. Houston and Vancouver are 4th and 5th in the Western Conference entering tonight’s games, so this match is big for both clubs. We asked our staff to weigh in on how they see the Dynamo and Caps playing out tonight.
Cristian - Win
I’m not as smart as the other guys so my explanation might be not as good 😂, but I feel like this home game is a do or die situation and the team knows it. Vancouver is a great squad that has previously beaten the Dynamo at their home in a weird match but it seems like this Houston team has their eyes set on competing for the top spots now that they sit so close to them. A win at home would mean just that.
Rudy - Draw
Vancouver Whitecaps are not a team to be pushed around. They are sitting in 4th place for a reason. Plus, they have not lost in their last 4 matches, all on the road.
Manny - Draw
Vancouver are unbeaten in their last four games. They also have the upper hand on the Dynamo, winning their last two outings. This will be a good test for the team and coach to solidify their place for the postseason.
Joey - Win
It’s been two games in a row now where the Dynamo think they should’ve gotten all three points. Not an easy opponent, but if any defense is going to give Vancouver a good test, it will be Houston. I think this will be a game where the offense clicks in the final third against a Vancouver team who don’t always have the best defense.
Gribbs - Win
The Whitecaps are a convincing team on the road with a good away record while the Dynamo play well at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston hasn't lost a league game at Shell since mid July, which was also their last loss of the regular season. A safe bet would be to go for the draw with a busy schedule coming up including a road trip to Kansas City this weekend before their US Open Cup Final, but Ben Olsen should wisely use this game as a test before the USOC final.
Dustyn - Draw
This game has a lot of similarities to Saturday night’s match up with St. Louis CITY FC. Vancouver are also a team with a very good attack, with skilled players up front. Their defense can be up and down at times, meaning the Dynamo should have some chances. I think the result ends up much like Saturday’s as well, with a 1-1 draw. A win here, however, would go a big way to solidifying this team’s playoff chances.
