There was plenty of postgame excitement for the Houston Dynamo following their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday. However, despite logging their first win of the season, the Dynamo were not completely satisfied.
Though they put together a good overall defensive performance, a 38th-minute goal from Camilo equalized the match just a minute after the Dynamo took the lead.
“It was a good team effort, but we’re not happy with how we gave up a goal right after our first goal,” Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell said.
Added head coach Dominic Kinnear: “I think the organization on the throw-in that led to the goal was not where it should be, but you have to give them credit for some creative play there."
Vancouver's quick response was the only blemish on an otherwise good night for the Dynamo back line. The Whitecaps were held to just five shots, and the Houston defense did a good job of restricting time on the ball for attacking players Camilo, Davide Chiumiento, and Atiba Harris.
“I thought Andre [Hainault] and Bobby held firm, and I think Corey [Ashe] had a very good game at left back,” Kinnear said. “I’ll also point to Lovel [Palmer], who in the second half was closing down space and making passes very easy to read.”
Despite the goal, the Dynamo will have a lot to build on coming out of Sunday’s match. Their ability to control the flow of the match and shut off chances to a Vancouver team that has scored some good goals this year were definitely positives. Still, the quick response leaves one obvious objective still on the board for the club: a shutout.
“We’re still waiting for that first zero,” Boswell said. “I think Tally [Hall] played too well to not be rewarded with a zero, and hopefully next game we can get it.”
Bruin gets his first goal
First-round MLS SuperDraft pick Will Bruin got his first MLS goal Sunday night, capping off the scoring in the 76th minute of the match. The goal came after Brad Davis put the forward through behind the Whitecaps' back line and the rookie beat a charging Jay Nolly to the ball. Nolly’s decision to come off his line left a wide-open net for Bruin, who was rewarded for his hard work.
WATCH: Bruin scores his first in MLS
“Will’s learning on the job facing pro defenders, and it’s different from college,” Kinnear said. “I don’t think anybody was disappointed to see Will score that goal, because of how he’s worked hard and how honest and selfless he is. I hope it’s the first of many.”
Physical match takes its toll
While the game had a number of offensive fireworks, it was not at the expense of some physical play.
Referee Jair Marrufo handed out only two yellow cards — to Vancouver’s Jonathan Leathers and Alain Rochat — but blew the whistle on 26 fouls on the night. Hainault took the worst of the physical play just before halftime when he collided head-to-head with Camilo. He receive stitches while in the locker room at halftime.
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
