MLS: Houston 3 Vancouver Whitecaps 1

The Houston Dynamo moved third in the Eastern Conference after recording their first win of the MLS season at home to Vancouver.

The Dynamo gave away a 1-0 lead but came back to beat the Whitecaps 3-1, with the victory lifting them one point behind the second-placed New England Revolution.

Hosts Houston went ahead in the 36th minute at the Robertson Stadium.

Brad Davis sent in a corner kick which was nodded on by Bobby Boswell and forward Cam Weaver was on hand to make it 1-0 to Houston.

The lead lasted less than two minutes before Brazilian striker Camilo leveled for Vancouver.

The goal rush continued four minutes before half-time, when Boswell directed a pass from Danny Cruz beyond Whitecaps’ goalkeeper Jay Nolly and into the net.

Will Bruin made it 3-1 with his first MLS goal on 76 minutes.

The rookie forward was played in by Davis on the left flank and managed to lift the ball over an onrushing Nolly.

Vancouver’s first loss in MLS leaves the team fifth in the Western Conference with five points, following one win and two draws in their previous three matches.

Mon 11 April, 2011

MLS: Houston 3 Vancouver Whitecaps 1

The Houston Dynamo moved third in the Eastern Conference after recording their first win of the MLS season at home to Vancouver.

The Dynamo gave away a 1-0 lead but came back to beat the Whitecaps 3-1, with the victory lifting them one point behind the second-placed New England Revolution.

Hosts Houston went ahead in the 36th minute at the Robertson Stadium.

Brad Davis sent in a corner kick which was nodded on by Bobby Boswell and forward Cam Weaver was on hand to make it 1-0 to Houston.

The lead lasted less than two minutes before Brazilian striker Camilo leveled for Vancouver.

The goal rush continued four minutes before half-time, when Boswell directed a pass from Danny Cruz beyond Whitecaps’ goalkeeper Jay Nolly and into the net.

Will Bruin made it 3-1 with his first MLS goal on 76 minutes.

The rookie forward was played in by Davis on the left flank and managed to lift the ball over an onrushing Nolly.

Vancouver’s first loss in MLS leaves the team fifth in the Western Conference with five points, following one win and two draws in their previous three matches.

Mon 11 April, 2011

MSL wrap: No splitting New York and Houston

Dwayne De Rosario could not quite inspire New York Red Bulls to a win on his debut, while Portland picked up their first-ever MLS point.

Dane Richards handed visitors New York a 47th-minute lead after getting on the end of De Rosario’s pass – his first touch for his new club – but the game was to finish 1-1 when Cam Weaver equalised just three minutes later.

Canadian international De Rosario joined the Red Bulls on Friday from Eastern Conference rivals Toronto FC and was only afforded a spot on the bench for his new side’s trip to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

He watched an often dour first half from the sidelines, but was involved immediately after his injection for Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy.

Recruited to fill the playmaker role in New York’s midfield, the 32-year-old instantly endeared himself to his new club’s fans by providing the defence-splitting pass for Jamaica striker Richards to score.

The advantage lasted just three minutes, however, when Weaver’s deft chip beat Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

It stayed that way for the remainder of the game, despite Richards, Luke Rodgers and designated player Thierry Henry going close for New York and Brad Davis shooting wide for Houston.

In other matches, Vancouver Whitecaps came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at home Kansas City.

Forward Teal Bunbury struck a brace early in the second half and Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara also netted to put visitors Kansas 3-0 up by the 63rd minute.

Atiba Harris pulled one back on 72 minutes for the Whitecaps, but they still looked destined for defeat before two stoppage-time strikes from Brazilian forward Camilo Sanvezzo salvaged an improbable point.

The Portland Timbers gained their first point in Major League Soccer with a 1-1 draw away to the New England Revolution.

Rookie Stephen McCarthy put the Revolution ahead with his first goal in MLS, before Jack Jewsbury levelled on 38 minutes to earn a draw for the Timbers.

Toronto FC drew 1-1 at home to Chivas USA, with Alan Gordon equalising for the hosts after Alejandro Moreno put Chivas ahead after just two minutes.

Sun 3 April, 2011

MSL wrap: No splitting New York and Houston

Dwayne De Rosario could not quite inspire New York Red Bulls to a win on his debut, while Portland picked up their first-ever MLS point.

Dane Richards handed visitors New York a 47th-minute lead after getting on the end of De Rosario’s pass – his first touch for his new club – but the game was to finish 1-1 when Cam Weaver equalised just three minutes later.

Canadian international De Rosario joined the Red Bulls on Friday from Eastern Conference rivals Toronto FC and was only afforded a spot on the bench for his new side’s trip to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

He watched an often dour first half from the sidelines, but was involved immediately after his injection for Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy.

Recruited to fill the playmaker role in New York’s midfield, the 32-year-old instantly endeared himself to his new club’s fans by providing the defence-splitting pass for Jamaica striker Richards to score.

The advantage lasted just three minutes, however, when Weaver’s deft chip beat Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

It stayed that way for the remainder of the game, despite Richards, Luke Rodgers and designated player Thierry Henry going close for New York and Brad Davis shooting wide for Houston.

In other matches, Vancouver Whitecaps came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at home Kansas City.

Forward Teal Bunbury struck a brace early in the second half and Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara also netted to put visitors Kansas 3-0 up by the 63rd minute.

Atiba Harris pulled one back on 72 minutes for the Whitecaps, but they still looked destined for defeat before two stoppage-time strikes from Brazilian forward Camilo Sanvezzo salvaged an improbable point.

The Portland Timbers gained their first point in Major League Soccer with a 1-1 draw away to the New England Revolution.

Rookie Stephen McCarthy put the Revolution ahead with his first goal in MLS, before Jack Jewsbury levelled on 38 minutes to earn a draw for the Timbers.

Toronto FC drew 1-1 at home to Chivas USA, with Alan Gordon equalising for the hosts after Alejandro Moreno put Chivas ahead after just two minutes.

Sun 3 April, 2011

MLS: Seattle Sounders 1 Houston 1

Houston and Seattle claimed their first point of the Major League Soccer season on Friday when they played out a 1-1 draw at Qwest Field.

Midfielder Geoff Cameron gave Houston the lead three minutes before half-time in bizarre circumstances.Lovel Palmer blasted a free-kick towards goal from long-range and the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and into the path of Cameron, who fired another shot from distance which bounced off a felled Seattle defender and over Sounders’ goalkeeper Kasey Keller.Just when it appeared the visitors would hold on to claim all three points, an Erik Friberg corner was headed across goal by Zach Scott, leaving Steve Zakuani to complete a simple tap-in at the back post with 10 minutes to play.Both sides will be looking for their first victory of the new season on April 2, when Houston takes to the road to face Red Bull New York and Seattle welcome San Jose.

Sat 26 March, 2011

MLS: Seattle Sounders 1 Houston 1

Houston and Seattle claimed their first point of the Major League Soccer season on Friday when they played out a 1-1 draw at Qwest Field.

Midfielder Geoff Cameron gave Houston the lead three minutes before half-time in bizarre circumstances.Lovel Palmer blasted a free-kick towards goal from long-range and the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and into the path of Cameron, who fired another shot from distance which bounced off a felled Seattle defender and over Sounders’ goalkeeper Kasey Keller.Just when it appeared the visitors would hold on to claim all three points, an Erik Friberg corner was headed across goal by Zach Scott, leaving Steve Zakuani to complete a simple tap-in at the back post with 10 minutes to play.Both sides will be looking for their first victory of the new season on April 2, when Houston takes to the road to face Red Bull New York and Seattle welcome San Jose.

Sat 26 March, 2011