The surging Houston Dynamo can overtake the Whitecaps for first place in the Western Conference when the sides meet in Vancouver on Wednesday.
The Dynamo recorded a 1-0 victory over the Whitecaps in Houston on May 16, which sparked Houston’s ongoing seven-match unbeaten streak (5-0-2) in regular-season play.
Houston (11-6-2, 35 points) has won each of its last four matches without allowing a goal. Only two teams in MLS history have ever recorded five consecutive shutout victories.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond has stopped all 11 shots faced in Houston’s last four matches, while forward Guilherme is on a four-match scoring streak.
Guilherme has been a one-man strike force in his first season in MLS, leading the Dynamo in both goals (12) and assists (seven). These 19 goal contributions are the third-most of any MLS player, plus Guilherme is tied for fourth in goals.
“I think he’s proven in a short amount of time that he’s one of the best players in the league,” Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen said. “There’s no secret that he’s been a big part of why we’re in the position we have because he’s a game-changer and … you need that from your (Designated Players).”
Brian White leads Vancouver with 10 goals, but will miss his second consecutive match due to hamstring tightness. Jeevan Badwal also won’t play Wednesday, as the midfielder is still in concussion protocol after exiting the field 18 minutes into Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.
Roster depth is paramount for the Whitecaps (11-3-4, 37 points) as they play their second match in four days. Bruno Caicedo is expected to be available after missing three games due to a quad injury, and Ryan Gauld, Emmanuel Sabbi and Ralph Priso have also recently returned from injury absences.
“That’s the main focus when you’re in a little stretch like this, to try to get your legs under you as quick as possible … especially in this stretch in the summer where we have a lot of games, it’s so important to get guys back like that,” defender Tristan Blackmon said.
The victory in Seattle ended a six-match winless drought (0-3-3) for the Whitecaps in regular-season and Leagues Cup competition.
The Whitecaps have lost just once in nine (7-1-1) regular-season home matches this season.
–Field Level Media
