Stick a fork in this team: They're done.

 

This loss was about mental lapses and execution.

This team doesn't know how to win.  In what has become a common theme with this group of players over the last two years, there were multiple opportunities to put this game away, and on both sides of the ball, the team failed to execute.  From one of the team's biggest stars to their role players failing to fulfill their role, this loss is an epitome of what is wrong with this team: the roster.  While some bad luck definitely aided to this loss, the poor execution and mental lapses that happened throughout the second half cost the Houston Dynamo 3 points and, in essence, ended their season.  The mental lapses happened in all phases of the game and reared their ugly head most at the worst possible time. 

This was (on paper) a matchup of two fairly evenly matched teams, both of whom are struggling to find wins.  Vancouver, down 7 men to start the game and playing without Lucas Cavellini in the starting 11, was the most dangerous team from the early goings. Julian Gressel was a constant threat on from the wing, getting the ball deep in the attacking third and firing in dangerous crosses. After the first goal, Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini changed up the defense, pressing the Dynamo back 4 when they were in possession.  While the Dynamo managed to dominate possession in the first half (63%), they did very little with it.  Managing only two shots on target, (both by Fafa Picault), the Dynamo were doing very little dangerously in the final third.  There were opportunities, Thor twice had the ball deep in the attacking third 1v1 with Tristan Blackmon, twice he was unable to do anything with it, and twice we came away with nothing. 

The Dynamo were in trouble despite the 1:0 scoreline.

The second half was a much different story.  Vancouver had us pinned back deep from the second-half kick.  Pressing our backline and man-marking our midfield, Vancouver was stifling any opportunities going forward.  The deep passes that were hitting in the first half weren't there in the second half, and for the first 5 minutes, the Dynamo managed only one touch on the opposition's half of the field. Vancouver dominated the run of play in the second half, creating most of the scoring opportunities (9 shots - 3) and big chances created (5-2).

At the 50th minute mark, the Dynamo got their first real chance.  It was an opportunity that should have been the game clincher, but instead, we got this:

These are plays that separate winning and losing.  These are the plays that separate playoff contenders from wooden spoons.  With a chance to go up 2-0 on the road, El Cientifico del Gol chooses a flying scissor kick a ball for no reason, whiffs at the chance, and cost his teammates a goal.  This isn't a rookie Thor we are talking about, it's a 34-year-old veteran in his 17th year as a professional.  These types of plays are inexcusable.  These types of plays HAVE to be made.  On top of that, this was Darwin's only shot opportunity of the entire game.  He has to capitalize.  

Thor also had a big chance (59:24) that just failed to go in.  While credit needs to go to Cody Copper for getting a touch on it, and credit to Thor for making a nice move in the box and putting a good shot on target, look at Fafa Picaut in the final frame.

This game should have been 2-0 at this point.  Fafa has to at least make a play on this ball. If you watch the body language by the guys on the field after this play, Fafa has his head down, Sebas turns around and is walking back, the only guy with any pep on screen is Thor.  The midfield (Hector Herrera especially) is jogging back.  And while the next possession turned into a cross that Tim Parker cleared, you could see frustration begin to take over this team.

This chance (note the time) turns into nothing:

The Downfall:

While I've seen criticism of Nagamura for his late-game substitutions in this game, I actually don't get it.  Up 1-0 in the 72nd minute, Paulo began to get all of his best defenders in squad into the game.  It was a conservative and smart tactic on the road.  

• 72nd minute: Griffen Dorsey and Coco -> Sebas and DQ
• 83rd minute: Ethan Bartlow and Zeca -> Thor and Zarek Valentine

Paulo parked the bus, sat deep, and packed it in in a 5-4-1 with his fastest and best defensive forward (Fafa) setting the high line. 

The lineup (Dorsey, Parker, Steres, Bartlow, Junqua on the back line, Zeca, Ceren, HH, Coco in the midfield) should have been able to lock down this game.  But they didn't.  While the first goal was a bit unfortunate, the second goal was a combination of mistakes and turned 3 points into 0. The first goal, given to Simon Becher an MLS veteran of 9 total minutes...(yes, you're reading that right), tapped one home in the 88th minute to make it 1-1. 

Here you go!!! @simon_becher101 nets the equalizer last night in his @MLS debut!!!@WhitecapsFC | #VWFC pic.twitter.com/hbcJUwrZpk

— Sarita Patel - 'Caps Club Reporter (@SaritaReports) August 6, 2022

While I say it was a bit unfortunate, it was also helped by a momentary lapse in concentration by Zeca, who lost his man (Ali Ahmed) and gave him a free run to the middle.  Tim Parkers deflection of Ahmed's pass wound up right at the foot of Becher, who managed to tap it home for the equalizer.  

Instead of grinding this game out for a draw, the Dynamo chased a second goal, opened themselves up, and gave up the winning goal less than 4 minutes later.   Lucas Cavellini's right-footed blast sealed the game.  Clark should have stopped it, didn't, and the Dynamo are no 3 points poorer because of a collective effort.

Despite the math, this team is done.

While playing the kids shouldn't be the goal at this point, moving on from guys that shouldn't be back should be.  There are a lot of players that are playing big roles that have yet to help us get over the line, and they need to stop seeing the field.   We need to figure out if guys like Bartlow can carry a week-in, week-out workload, so we can move on from more expensive options on the team (Steres, Parker).  We need to see if Beto Avila can help fill a role as part of the rotation next year.  It's time to give these guys extended looks.  And while I'm not a proponent of bringing the Dynamo Dos guys in, I'm not necessarily against it either.  Going to watch games at Aviva, and looking beyond the scoreline, I'm not sure how many of those guys help change results this year or next.  Other than Brooklyn Raines and possibly Xavier Valdez, I'm not sure any of those guys have a positive impact on the squad.  They're good, and much credit to them for what they've done this year, but I'm not throwing them in there just out of spite to guys that have been here.  They need to earn it.

Thanks again for reading, 

Remember to always #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian