CHARLESTON, S.C. – Will Bruin and Adam Moffat scored late goals as the Houston Dynamo snatched a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night in the Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Dynamo have three points in the tournament (1-0-1 record) and could have a chance to play for their third Carolina Challenge Cup title in their final preseason game on Saturday.
Vancouver nearly seized an early lead in the 17th minute. Midfielder Russell Teibert struck a shot from the top of the box that hit the post before Tally Hall handled the rebound.
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The Whitecaps would convert ten minutes later, as Corey Hertzog stole a soft back pass in the Dynamo penalty area, dribbled to the end line, and slid a shot past Hall from a very tight angle.
Just before halftime, Alex Dixon created a chance for Houston, driving inward from the left flank, but his shot from the corner of the box stayed over the cross bar.
Midway through the second half, the Dynamo repelled four consecutive corner kicks from Camilo to stay within a goal.
Moments later, Brad Davis, Bruin and Moffat entered the game from the Dynamo bench and sparked a late rally.
Within two minutes, the Dynamo found the equalizer. Davis drove a deftly weighted ball from deep in his own half over the Vancouver defense, where Bruin raced to control it, drove into the box and slipped a shot under Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton for the tying goal.
Just two minutes later, the Dynamo captured the lead. Brian Ching settled a ball on the right flank and spotted Moffat in the middle of the field. Moffat received the pass, took a touch, and then drove a 40-yard strike into the top corner of the goal for a sudden 2-1 lead.
Houston held the lead for the final 13 minutes for a 2-1 win.
The Dynamo will play their final preseason game on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. CT, as they face the Charleston Battery (USL Pro) in the Carolina Challenge Cup finale at Blackbaud Stadium. The Dynamo could win the tournament with a win, depending on the result of the preceding game between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps. Both games will be broadcast live at USLnation.com.
Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Carolina Challenge Cup
February 20, 2013 – Blackbaud Stadium
Preseason
Scoring Summary:

VAN – Corey Hertzog (unassisted) 27
HOU – Will Bruin (Brad Davis) 75
HOU – Adam Moffat (Brian Ching) 77
Houston Dynamo: Tally Hall; Kofi Sarkodie (Mike Chabala 46), Bobby Boswell (Eric Brunner
46), Jermaine Taylor (Anthony Arena 46), Corey Ashe (Jimmy Nealis 46);
Boniek Garcia (Brian Ownby 46), Warren Creavalle (Adam Moffat 74), Giles
Barnes (Luiz Camargo 46), Alex Dixon (Brad Davis 74); Jason Johnson (Will
Bruin 74), Cam Weaver (Brian Ching 46)
Vancouver Whitecaps: Brad Knighton; Ethen Sampson, Carlyle Mitchell, Adam Clement, Greg Klazura; Erik Hurtado (Matt Watson 46), Jun Marques Davidson (Crispin Olando 80), Russell Teibert, Paulo Jr. (Emmanuel Adjetey 80); Camilo Sanvezzo, Corey Hertzog (Dever Orgill 71)
Misconduct Summary

:
HOU - Anthony Arena (yellow card) 55
HOU - Jimmy Nealis (yellow card) 78

VAN – Tom Heinemann (yellow card) 89
VAN – Carlyle Mitchell (yellow card) 89
*Trialist
