For the fourth consecutive match, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-3L-1D) will take to the road to face off against a Western Conference opponent, this time in the form of Texas side Houston Dynamo FC (2W-2L-2D) at BBVA Stadium on Saturday.
We break down three things you need to know about the Dynamo.
ONE TO WATCH
Saturday’s meeting will mark the first time the ‘Caps have faced the Dynamo in two years, with their last meeting resulting in a 2-1 ‘Caps win at BC Place back on September 14, 2019.
Both rosters have changed plenty since that day, so expect to see a much different Dynamo side than years past.
One new Dynamo player to keep an eye out for is none other than Canadian winger Tyler Pasher.
Despite missing the last three games due to a lower body injury, the 27-year-old was electric in the Dynamo’s first three games of the season, taking players on in 1v1 situations, creating chances for his teammates and overall providing some much-needed width after the departure of leading marksman Alberth Elis last season.
Pasher can play anywhere in the Dynamo’s attacking front three but can also pop up in great positions to either supply teammates in the box or make threatening runs into the area as well as dribble out wide towards the touchline to whip crosses into the box, as he’s shown with his one goal, two assists and seven key passes this season.
If Pasher makes an appearance on Saturday, ‘Caps head coach Marc Dos Santos will be prepared as he previously coached Pasher when he managed USL side Swope Park Rangers in 2016.
MIDFIELD MACHINE
As it has been for the last couple years, the Dynamo’s midfield machine philosophy has stayed intact under head coach Tab Ramos to help the side maintain possession in the middle of the park and to supply the front three as much as possible in the final third.
With tidy possession conductors such as Philadelphia Union academy product Derrick Jones and former LA Galaxy man Joe Corona, as well as defensive cog Matias Vera (pictured with Russell Teibert), the Dynamo harness a balanced midfield that can both stay tidy in defence and offer a threat when in possession.
Corona and Jones have each registered an assist as well as some decent numbers in key passes, while Vera is tied for second in the Houston roster with six key passes.
However, what matters for Ramos’ side is what they do when they have possession, as they’ve lost the possession battle in five of their six games this season. Expect the ‘Caps to have plenty of the ball this Saturday while the Dynamo try to hit on the transition and build up quickly in possession.
PARKER IN ORANGE?
‘Caps fans will recognize a familiar face once the Blue and White take to the field Saturday night to face the Dynamo.
Former ‘Caps centre back Tim Parker was traded from the New York Red Bulls to the Texan side this offseason and has quickly penciled himself as a key piece of the Dynamo’s defence six games into the season.
Parker, 28, was drafted by the ‘Caps back in 2015 and helped the club reach the postseason twice during his time in Vancouver, while also being awarded the Jock McDonald Unsung Hero Award in 2017.
Saturday could mark the second time in Parker’s career he plays against the ‘Caps since leaving the club in February 2018.
Catch the match live on TSN1/4 and AM730 at 6 p.m. PT, with the radio pre-game show starting at 5 p.m. PT.
