Houston Dynamo 0, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Peter Brownell

The Houston Dynamo out-shot the Vancouver Whitecaps 17-9, but neither side could find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw for the two Western Conference clubs.

Houston coach Wade Barrett was tested early tactically, as the Dynamo were forced to sub veteran center back Raul Rodriguez in the 13^th minute due to injury, replacing him with Abdoulie Mansally and shifting Jalil Anibaba to left center back.

Barrett threw the kitchen sink at the Whitecaps in the second half, introducing attacking threats in Giles Barnes and Cristian Maidana, but the attacking pair were unable to put their stamp on the match. Boniek Garcia nearly gave Houston the lead in the 70^th minute when his left-footed shot blasted off the inside of the post.

David Ousted, meanwhile, consistently came up big for the Whitecaps, making difficult save after difficult save to help secure a road point.

Box Score

Three Things

1. CUBO UP TOP: Erick 'Cubo' Torres made just his third start and ninth appearance of the 2016 MLS season, paired alongside Will Bruin as a true striker in a 4-4-2 formation. Cubo made a name for himself during the 2013 and 2014 MLS seasons with Chivas USA, when he bagged seven and 15 goals. The Mexican U-23 international has yet to open his account for Houston in his two seasons with the club, but looked dangerous at times, connecting on some clever flicks in the box and pressuring the Vancouver backs.

2. TIDY PASSING FROM WHITECAPS MF: Andrew Jacobson and Matias Laba did an excellent job of controlling the midfield for the Whitecaps. The central pair were on the ball frequently and moved it with accuracy. Laba’s 92 percent passing accuracy on 49 passes was up from his season average of 86 percent passing accuracy and Jacobson’s 94 percent rate was far better than his season average of 83 percent.

3. HERO OUSTED: David Ousted leads MLS in total saves with 79 and is tied for second in saves inside the box with 51. He proved why his numbers are so impressive once again on Saturday night, registering four total saves and three saves inside the box.

Ousted’s most challenging moment of the night came mere seconds before the final whistle when Dynamo defender David Horst headed a cross towards the top corner that the Dane parried away.