Vancouver Whitecaps vs Houston Dynamo preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Vancouver Stadium Today - 2:30 AM
Major League Soccer
Vancouver WhitecapsVAN
0 1
Houston DynamoHOU
Full Time Today 2:30 AM
Regular Season
|
Goal
Franco Negri - 34'

CONTEXT

Vancouver Whitecaps hosted Houston Dynamo in a contest that finished 0-1 to the visitors. The home side held 64 percent possession and created 1.26 expected goals yet could not score. Houston Dynamo took the lead before halftime and protected the advantage with disciplined defending that restricted their own xG to 0.51. The stronger team on paper was unable to break down the organized away defense. Halftime score was 0-1. No red cards occurred and the game remained eleven versus eleven throughout both halves. This result marked a significant deviation achieved by the winners.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Vancouver Whitecaps 0-1 Houston Dynamo. Houston Dynamo showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with the match dynamics.
  • xG alignment: The final result was not consistent with the expected goals.
  • Market alignment: The outcome aligned with market expectations.
  • xG expectations: Vancouver Whitecaps generated 1.26 xG compared to Houston Dynamo's 0.51 xG.
  • Event impact: No major events altered the flow of the game.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards were issued during the match.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Montero
R. Montero
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Vancouver Whitecaps J. Sørensen
J. Sørensen
VS
Houston Dynamo B. Olsen
B. Olsen
2.06
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.84
1.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Seattle Sounders Rank: 66 W
Los Angeles FC Rank: 75 D
Minnesota United Rank: 65 D
Cincinnati Rank: 68 L
San Diego Rank: 67 W
Houston Dynamo Rank: 66 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 W
New England Rank: 62 W
Sporting KC Rank: 55 W
Austin Rank: 59 W
DC United Rank: 57 D
LA Galaxy Rank: 60 D
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 2 - 2
2

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
72.97
65.65
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Vancouver Whitecaps
Houston Dynamo
Power Score
72.97
65.65
League Position
1
2
Global Rank
182
373

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Vancouver Whitecaps — Opponent-weighted form score
Houston Dynamo — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Vancouver Whitecaps Houston Dynamo

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Vancouver Whitecaps

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Houston Dynamo

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Vancouver Whitecaps
vs
Houston Dynamo
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Vancouver Whitecaps Houston Dynamo
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
20%
17%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.25 vs -0.09
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Vancouver Whitecaps Houston Dynamo
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
17%
20%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.09 vs -0.25
Vancouver Whitecaps
Houston Dynamo
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Vancouver Whitecaps
vs
Houston Dynamo
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Vancouver Whitecaps Houston Dynamo
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Vancouver Whitecaps 0.00
Houston Dynamo 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Vancouver Whitecaps Houston Dynamo
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Vancouver Whitecaps 0.00
Houston Dynamo 0.00
Vancouver Whitecaps
Houston Dynamo
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • VAN had peak pressure around 94'.
  • VAN started the game with stronger pressure.
VAN Pressure HOU Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: VAN reached the top pressure at 94' (93.13).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Vancouver Whitecaps VAN Home
5 matches
Houston Dynamo HOU Away
Match Record
1
Wins
2
2
Draws
2
2
Losses
1
Goals
8
Goals Scored
7
7
Goals Conceded
8
+1
Goal Difference
-1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-20T00:04:22+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 20, 2026, 02:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Vancouver Stadium
Capacity
54500
Pitch Surface
Artificial turf
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Ricardo Montero

Statistics

Possession
VAN
62%
HOU
38%

Top Statistics

0 Goals 1
2 Big Chances Created 1
10 Shots 1
124 Dangerous attacks 14
64 Possession 36
8 Corners 2
12 Free kicks 13
1 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

61 Ball Safe 88
2 Goal Kicks 19
9 Goal Attempts 4
5 Substitutions 4
22 Throwins 21
1 Hit Woodwork 0
6 Successful Headers 14
0 Injuries 2
17 Dribble Attempts 26
8 Successful Dribbles 12
47 Successful Dribbles Percentage 46

Attacking

169 Attacks 38
2 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

33 Long Passes 50
577 Passes 353
506 Successful Passes 285
88 Successful Passes Percentage 81
11 Key Passes 6
21 Successful Long Passes 15
64 Successful Long Passes Percentage 30

Defensive

3 Saves 1
24 Tackles 15
10 Interceptions 11
49 Duels Won 53

Build-up

47 Total Crosses 4
7 Accurate Crosses 0

Discipline

0 Offsides 2
13 Fouls 12

Lineup

Referee : Ricardo Montero

Starting XI ▼

1
Yohei Takaoka
Yohei Takaoka Goalkeeper
6.7
2
Mathías Laborda
Mathías Laborda Defender
7.11
18
Édier Ocampo
Édier Ocampo Defender
7.08
41
Nikola Djordjevic
Nikola Djordjevic
Defender88'
6.57
28
Tate Johnson
Tate Johnson Defender
7.03
3
Sam Adekugbe
Sam Adekugbe
Defender88'
6.99
33
Tristan Blackmon
Tristan Blackmon Defender
6.92
7
Cheikh Sabaly
Cheikh Sabaly Midfielder
6.78
13
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller
Attacker46'
7.4
8
Oliver Larraz
Oliver Larraz Midfielder
6.74
11
Emmanuel Sabbi
Emmanuel Sabbi Midfielder
6.72
14
Bruno Caicedo
Bruno Caicedo
Attacker73'
20
Andrés Cubas
Andrés Cubas Midfielder
7.12
6
Ralph Priso
Ralph Priso
Midfielder74'
7.08
25
Ryan Gauld
Ryan Gauld Midfielder
7.05
19
Rayan Elloumi
Rayan Elloumi Attacker
6.55
Referee : Ricardo Montero

Starting XI ▼

31
Jonathan Bond
Jonathan Bond Goalkeeper
6.95
5
Lucas Halter
Lucas Halter Defender
6.95
11
Lawrence Ennali
Lawrence Ennali Defender
6.81
14
Duane Holmes
Duane Holmes
Midfielder79'
6.66
21
Franco Negri
Franco Negri Defender
6.74
4
Marcelo Saracchi
Marcelo Saracchi
Defender75'
34
Agustin Resch
Agustin Resch Defender
6.88
6
Artur
Artur Midfielder
6.88
8
Jack McGlynn
Jack McGlynn Midfielder
7.47
16
Héctor Herrera
Héctor Herrera Midfielder
6.96
18
Diadié Samassékou
Diadié Samassékou
Midfielder75'
6.67
20
Guilherme
Guilherme Midfielder
7.92
23
Duncan McGuire
Duncan McGuire
Attacker70'
6.69
30
Agustín Bouzat
Agustín Bouzat Midfielder
6.75
19
Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz Attacker
7.04

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Sam Adekugbe → Tate Johnson
8th Substitution
88'
Event
Nikola Djordjevic → Édier Ocampo
9th Substitution
88'
79'
Event
Duane Holmes → Lawrence Ennali
7th Substitution
75'
Event
Diadié Samassékou → Héctor Herrera
5th Substitution
75'
Event
Marcelo Saracchi → Franco Negri
6th Substitution
Event
Ralph Priso → Andrés Cubas
4th Substitution
74'
Event
Bruno Caicedo → Emmanuel Sabbi
3rd Substitution
73'
70'
Event
Duncan McGuire → Guilherme
2nd Substitution
Event
Rayan Elloumi
Goal disallowed
66'
Event
Thomas Müller → Cheikh Sabaly
1st Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
41'
Event
Agustín Bouzat
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
37'
Event
Agustin Resch
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
34'
Event
Franco Negri
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
Event
Andrés Cubas
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
26'

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Nikola Djordjevic takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
89
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
89
Attempt Attempt
Oliver Larraz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
88
Update Update
Nikola Djordjevic is coming on for Edier Ocampo.
88
Substitution Substitution
Sam Adekugbe is substituted for Tate Johnson.
88
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Attempt Attempt
Oliver Larraz attempts a right-footed shot but misses.
83
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Attempt Attempt
Oliver Larraz takes a left-footed shot, but it misses the target.
79
Update Update
Duane Holmes is on, and Lawrence Ennali is off.
75
Update Update
Diadie Samassekou comes on for Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez.
75
Update Update
Marcelo Saracchi comes on for Franco Negri.
74
Update Update
Ralph Priso-Mbongue is on, and Adrian Andres Cubas is off.
73
Update Update
Bruno Quiñonez comes on for Emmanuel Sabbi.
73
Update Update
Offside.
70
Update Update
Duncan McGuire is on, and Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos is off.
65
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
64
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
64
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
64
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Rayan Elloumi scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Emmanuel Sabbi.
63
Attempt Attempt
Adrian Andres Cubas takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
61
Attempt Attempt
Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
60
Attempt Attempt
Edier Ocampo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
60
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Mathias Laborda Head Shot Missed
60
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
56
Attempt Attempt
Mateusz Bogusz takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
56
Attempt Attempt
Emmanuel Sabbi takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
54
Attempt Attempt
Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
52
Attempt Attempt
Rayan Elloumi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
50
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
46
Update Update
Thomas Muller comes on for Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly.
45
Attempt Attempt
Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
41
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Agustin Bouzat.
39
Attempt Attempt
Oliver Larraz takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
37
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Agustín Resch.
36
Attempt Attempt
Franco Negri takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Franco Negri scores with a left-footed shot.
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Franco Negri scores, making it 0-1.
26
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Adrian Andres Cubas receives a yellow card.
25
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
25
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
21
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
18
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
16
Attempt Attempt
Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
16
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Update Update
Offside.
10
Attempt Attempt
Ryan Gauld takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
3
Attempt Attempt
Adrian Andres Cubas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Ricardo Montero.

CONCLUSION

Final score detail: Vancouver Whitecaps 0-1 Houston Dynamo. Structural assessment: Houston Dynamo exhibited a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Efficiency outcome: Possession-adjusted chance creation finished in line with projected levels. Result alignment: The final score was consistent with the pre-match probability model. Market alignment: The match result was within the projected probability range.