Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Houston Dynamo | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Benjamin Baer

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Houston Dynamo
2017 MLS Match Preview
BC Place – Vancouver, B.C.
Saturday, August 19 – 10 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE in US | TSN1/4 in Canada

Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Houston Dynamo both missed out on the MLS Cup Playoffs last season, but with turnarounds in 2017, both seem on their way to making it back this season. The Dynamo currently sit on top of the Western Conference with 37 points after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 over the weekend while the Whitecaps fell below the playoff line after their 1-0 loss at New England. Of course, they still sit in fifth place in the West when looking at the points-per-game averages.

According to the forecasts at FiveThirtyEight.com, the Dynamo have a 93 percent chance of reaching the playoffs while the Whitecaps sit at a healthy 79 percent. A win on Saturday night would push either of the two into even loftier projections.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Suspended: None
Int’l Duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - David Edgar (PCL, MCL tear), M - Matias Laba (torn ACL)

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Marcel de Jong — Andrew Jacobson, Tony Tchani — Cristian Techera, Yordy Reyna, Alphonso Davies — Fredy Montero

Notes: The Whitecaps have won five of their last eight MLS home games (2L-1D) and have averaged two goals per game along the way...In 715 minutes with Alphonso Davies on the field, Vancouver averages 1.5 goals scored and 0.8 goals conceded per 90 minutes played. In the 1,384 minutes that the Whitecaps have played without him, they average 1.3 goals scored and 1.7 goals conceded per 90.

Houston Dynamo

Suspended: F Alberth Elis (yellow card accumulation)
Int’l Duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - George Malki (torn ACL)

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK: Tyler Deric — A.J. DeLaGarza, Adolfo Machado, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley — Juan David Cabezas, Ricardo Clark — Mauro Manotas, Alex, Romell Quioto — Erick "Cubo" Torres

Notes: Houston have only won three times in their last 37 MLS road games (22L-12D). The Dynamo had finished the 2016 season on a five-game road unbeaten run, but have lost seven of their 12 road games this year (1W-4D)...Houston, Columbus, and Toronto have all conceded only one goal from outside the box this season, the fewest in MLS.