Houston Dynamo Turns the Game Around in Vancouver

The Houston Dynamo treated us to a rare spectacle, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in a comeback that will go down in club history. At the heart of this whirlwind was Griffin Dorsey, the unlikely hero who secured the victory with two precise shots.

Dorsey, a 25-year-old, seemed in disbelief at what was happening. And honestly, who could blame him? His first goal, a curling shot from outside the box that left goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka stunned, was a real slap in the face to the skeptics. The incredulity on his face, followed by a sliding celebration, perfectly captured a magical night. And it didn't stop there. Three minutes before the final whistle, there he was again, with a decisive shot that sealed Dynamo's victory. It was one of those nights where everything seemed to conspire in his favor, where the ball stubbornly obeyed the whims of fate.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Coach Ben Olsen didn't hold back in describing the roller coaster of emotions that was the match. "It was a wild game; we had a great first half, but we started the second half poorly. They brought a lot of energy and capitalized on crosses and set pieces; they're extremely dangerous," said Olsen, still processing how his team managed to blow a 2-0 lead and then recover to win 4-3. "Many times, you can't come back from a 3-2, especially playing away after being up 2-0. That's hard to do, but they found a way, so I don't know whether to scold or hug them right now."

Indeed, the story of the game shouldn't be just about Dorsey or a timeline of goals that defied Dynamo's defensive logic. It was precisely Dorsey's shots, combined with a brilliant effort by Brad Smith and a lucky deflection into the net by Coco Carasquilla, that secured the three points for Houston for the first time at BC Place. A victory Olsen didn't expect, especially after a bitter 6-2 loss in Vancouver in 2023. "To beat this team, you practically have to outscore them. This wasn't the plan to win 4-3, but they will score goals," admitted the coach.

The numbers tell the story. Seven goals in a single game, bringing the total to 20 goals in the last three meetings between the Whitecaps and Dynamo. A record only matched once before in MLS, in 2020, between the Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy. The victory lifted Dynamo to sixth place in the Western Conference, just one point behind the Whitecaps.

Among the highlights of the match, Ezequiel Ponce, Houston's latest signing, made his MLS debut. Although he didn't score, Ponce showed why he was brought in with a club-record transfer fee. His defensive pressure in the first half was crucial, something Olsen didn't overlook. "I thought he was great. His pressure is very good, and I think you can see the defensive side that really helped us in the first half," commented the coach, optimistic about the potential of the 27-year-old Argentine. Ponce now has the opportunity to integrate even more with the team during the Leagues Cup campaign before returning to MLS action against Toronto FC.

Olsen also emphasized the importance of building on-field relationships. "Now we just need to build relationships, and they need to figure out where he wants the ball and where his runs are, and we can give him better service earlier," explained the coach, confident that Ponce will bring many rewards to the team.

After a long and exhausting week on the road, Olsen didn't hide his desire to return to Houston and recharge. "It's been a long week. We've been away, and the guys are exhausted. They're excited, but we want to go home and take a day or two off to recharge, and then we'll focus on Atlas," he said.