VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC WHITE-WASHED AUSTIN FC 5-1! HOUSTON DYNAMO CELEBRATES BEN OLSEN'S 100TH GAME WITH A DRAW!

Vancouver Whitecaps FC WHITE-washed Austin FC 5-1!

Houston Dynamo celebrates Ben Olsen's 100th game with a draw!

Written by Sam Mbonu

Vancouver Whitecaps put up a masterclass performance on MLS match day 8 with a 5-1 thrashing of Austin FC in front of raucous home fans at BC Place with striker Brian White stealing the show with four goals. 

Brian White's opening salvo was an easy finish when he pounced on a loose pass from Daniel Rios between two Austin FC defenders which he slotted in calmly to give Vancouver an early lead in the 13th minute. 

He followed that up in the 38th minute to double Vancouver Whitecaps lead. Emmanual Sabbi put the game beyond Austin FC when he added the 3rd for Vancouver in the 47th minute.

Brian White who made 73 appearances for Duke Blue Devils completed his hattrick in the 59th minute when he tapped in a rebounded ball from close range. The icing was White's 4th goal in the 83rd minute showcasing his clinical finishing and intelligent movement in the box. It was a night to remember for White, who now tops the league scoring charts. 

Austin FC struggled to gain momentum and only managed a consolation goal through Dani Pereira in stoppage time (90’), but it was far too late to spark any comeback. 

Key Performers: 

Brian White (VAN): Four-goal performance, sharp and relentless in front of goal. 

E. Sabbi (VAN): Energetic and creative, added a well-taken goal and an assist. 

Ryan Gauld (VAN): Pulled the strings in midfield with multiple key passes. 

What’s Next: 

Vancouver continues their climb up the Western Conference standings. They also are in the semifinals of Concacaf Champions Cup where they will play Inter Miami. They will look to carry this momentum forward into their next fixture. 

Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage in Ben Olsen’s 100th game in charge as they earned a 1-1 away draw at LA Galaxy, MLS cup holders. 

The performance highlighted Houston Dynamo's fine run against California-based MLS teams after they narrowly defeated LAFC 1-0 on match day 7. 

Dynamo took the lead in the 14th minute when Argentine striker, Ezequiel Ponce scored his second goal of the season when poked home from close range with Polish midfielder, Sebastian Kowalczyk providing the assist. 

LA Galaxy struck back through Diego Fagúndez who curled the ball beyond Blake Gillingham with a perfect free kick. The home team was reduced to 10 men when defender, Mathias Jørgensen ( Zanka) was shown a red card for a foul on Ezequiel Ponce. 

Houston Dynamo held on to earn another road point this season. 

At the Audi Field, Gerardo Valenzuela dazzled and turned the D.C United FC defense around to score on his first start for FC Cinciantti in their 1-0 away win at the Capitol. The defeat had increased the pressure on D.C United head coach, Troy Lesesne to turn things around. The team is winless in 4 games and suffered its heaviest defeat on match day 7 in San Jose Earthquakes.

Also, Nigerian Chidozie Aweziem was part of the Colorado Rapids team that defeated MLS newcomers, San Diego FC 3-2. 

In a battle of two Californian teams, LAFC bounced back from their road defeat at Houston on match day 7 with a 2-1 home win over San Jose Earthquakes.

Spanish defender, Sergi Palencia put the black and gold in the lead in the 65th minute, Gabonese striker, Denis Bouanga doubled it in the 86th minute to give LAFC a 2 goal cushion going into the final stretch of regulation time but Christain Espinoza gave San Jose a glimmer of hope deep into stoppage with a goal but it was too little too late as LAFC held on to a 2-1 win.