The Vancouver Whitecaps look to continue their blazing start when they visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.
The Whitecaps (9-1-2, 29 points) are tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for most points in the league but have played one fewer match.
Vancouver is 5-0-2 in its last seven MLS matches and has outscored opponents 30-9 to lead the league in goal differential (plus-21).
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is one of many Vancouver players enjoying big campaigns. He scored two goals, including the decisive tally in the 64th minute, as the Whitecaps notched a 3-2 road victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday.
“(They) were not big chances, from where he struck the ball,” Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen said afterward. “It was great quality, and sometimes that’s what you need.
“He provided that in moments where you don’t expect it. It was a good game from him overall, and the two goals made it special.”
Berhalter has already scored a career-high six goals. He ranks second on the team behind star forward Brian White (eight).
Berhalter said that better decision-making involving when and where to shoot has been a benefit this season.
“It took time to earn the coaches’ trust,” Berhalter said. “They wanted me to chill out and understand the shots I’m taking. But I’m at a point where I’m confident, they’re confident in me, and it’s just about hitting the target.”
Houston (6-6-0, 18 points) had been excelling with four victories in a span of five MLS matches before being outplayed in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss against host Real Salt Lake.
The Dynamo are aware they must play a lot better if they want to topple the Whitecaps.
“The mentality is good, but we are playing one of the best teams in the hemisphere in my mind,” Houston coach Ben Olsen said on Friday. “They’ve done a great job, they’re experienced, they have real speed, they have a forward (White) who is relentless and they are battle-tested.
“This will be a really good test for us but I think it’s one our guys are excited about.”
The tough outing against RSL was stunning after Houston had torched host LAFC 4-1 three days earlier. Midfielder Jack McGlynn had two goals in that match.
Olsen said his club has to move on regardless.
“I expect the best version of ourselves because that’s what it’s going to take,” Olsen said of facing Vancouver, “and I think the guys understand that.”
Guilherme, a midfielder, leads the Dynamo with six goals.
–Field Level Media
