Houston Dynamo v Vancouver Whitecaps: White relishing MLS challenge after Gold Cup campaign

Brian White expressed his delight at returning to MLS action for the Vancouver Whitecaps after spending time on international duty with the United States at the Gold Cup. 

White, who has scored 10 league goals so far this season, made just two substitute appearances in the continental tournament, featuring for a total of nine minutes. 

But his absence has been felt in Vancouver. Since his call-up to Mauricio Pochettino's squad, the Whitecaps have lost three MLS games, seeing them slip to third in the Western Conference standings. 

White was back in the team for their 3-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids last time out, and is now aiming to turn their form around, starting with a trip to the Houston Dynamo.

"It's exciting. It was a long time away," said White. "It was tough to watch games and not be a part of them.

"I was looking forward to being back with the boys and being back on the field. Unfortunately we were not able to put it altogether today, but we turn the page from our mistakes and go again on Wednesday [Houston fixture].

"We are not in great form right now but, like I said, there is another opportunity to turn that ship back around. You can't get too low with the lows and too high with the highs. We just have to get back out there, put our best foot forward, and do everything we can.

"[I] Just [need to] keep playing games. We have a lot of games in a short amount of time, so it is right back into the thick of it."

Houston are 10th in the West and missed the chance to move into the playoff spots after losing 1-0 to Real Salt Lake in their last match.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce

Ezequiel Ponce has been Houston's main attacking threat this season, providing seven goals and one assist in MLS so far.

He has scored three goals in as many games, including a brace in their shock win over San Diego FC.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White has scored 10 goals in just 13 MLS appearances this season, more than any other Whitecaps player.

The striker scored in the last meeting between the two sides, a 1-1 draw in September 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

Houston have lost only one of their 12 all-time home meetings with Vancouver (W8 D3), a 2-1 defeat in March 2018. Since then, the Dynamo are unbeaten in six straight at home against the Whitecaps

The Whitecaps have lost four of their last five regular-season matches, including the last two in a row, after opening the season with one defeat in 16.

Houston's run of 12 straight matches with a goal in all competitions ended with a 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo haven't been shut out in consecutive matches since a three-match goalless stretch between April and May 2024.

Vancouver have managed to hit just four of their 24 total attempts over the last three matches on target (16.7%). Only one of the 10 attempts the Whitecaps took inside the penalty area against Colorado on Saturday was on target.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 40.1%

Draw – 26.6%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 33.2%