Game Stream: Dynamo Pick Up First Win, Beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1

The Houston Dynamo picked up their first win of the MLS season after beating the Vancouver Whtiecaps 3-1 at home on Sunday night.

Dynamo goals came off of Cam Weaver, Bobby Boswell, and rookie Will Bruin, who netted his first professional goal in the 76th minute after an impressive bit of individual skill.

Houston opened up the scoring in the 37th minute after Cam Weaver found the back of the net on a Brad Davis corner kick.

There were flashes of the Dynamo team from 2010 when, just seconds after taking a 1-0 lead, the Dynamo gave up the lead when Camilo netted an equalizer. Camilo smashed a ball past Tally Hall after Davide Chiumiento found Camilo just inside the box.

The Dynamo retook the lead five minutes later when Bobby Boswell’s shot found the back of the net. Boswell received the ball after Brad Davis and Danny Cruz created some space on the left side of the pitch.

Coming out of the half, both teams played physical, and the match was choppy. But the Dynamo were able to capitalize on a chance and extend the lead to 3-1 when Will Bruin picked up a great through ball, tipped it past an onrushing Jay Nolly, and fired in a shot from outside of the box.

Bruin’s goal marks his first goal as a professional in a Major League Soccer game.

Houston was relentless and nearly netted another two goals after the team created additional scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize on their efforts.

Houston now move to 1-2-1 on the season, and will hope to be able to build on tonight’s improved form as the look towards next week’s match-up against the New England Revolution.

Check back here later tonight for more thoughts on the game and post-game quotes and reactions from the players and coaches.

Both teams went to their bench in the 84th minute, Vancouver bringing on Omar Salgado for Camilo and the Dynamo bringing on Jason Garey for Cam Weaver.

This is Salgado’s first bit of MLS action.

Brad Davis nearly gave Houston a three goal lead in the 79th minute after firing in a bending free kick from about 23 yards out. Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly made a huge save on that free kick.

Vancouver used its second substitute of the game when Mouloud Akloul entered the match for Nizar Khalfan in the 79th minute.

What a beauty! Will Bruin netted his first professional goal in the 76th minute after picking up a through ball and tapping past an onrushing Jay Nolly to create space. Bruin then fired in a shot from over 20 yards out, extending Houston’s lead to 3-1.

That will be one for Bruin’s highlight reel.

Will Bruin nearly netted his first MLS goal in the 70th minute against the Whitecaps after shielding off a defender and ripping a shot on goal. Jay Nolly parried the shot away and out for a Dynamo corner kick.

Alain Rochat picked up Vancouver’s second yellow card of the night for a hard challenge on Danny Cruz. Cruz stayed down after the challenge but has since returned to play.

The referee initially played the advantage for Houston, but gave the card after play stopped.

Vancouver defender Jay DeMerit left the game at half time, likely aggravating his groin injury, making room for Russell Teibert.

Both Hainault and Camilo returned to the pitch, seemingly recovered from the head-on-head challenge at the end of the half.

Houston made no changes at half time.

The Houston Dynamo go into half time with a 2-1 lead after three goals were scored in a five minute span.

Cam Weaver gave Houston a 1-0 leave in the 37th minute after stretching for a tap-in just inside the six yard box. The ball found it’s way to Weaver from after Bobby Boswell deflected a Brad Davis corner kick.

Just seconds after Cam Weaver gave Houston a 1-0 lead, Davide Chiumiento found Camilo in the box who rocketed a clinical finish past Tally Hall. Hall’s defense let him down there, but Camilo’s strike looked unstoppable. With that assist, Chiumiento now has four assists on the season.

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will not be happy with that lapse from his defense.

Four minutes later Bobby Boswell retook the lead after tapping in a beauty of a cross from Danny Cruz to retake the lead from Vancouver in the 42nd minute of the match.

The half ended with Andre Hainault and Camilo receiving treatment for a head-to-head collision. Hainault seems unlikely to return to the match, and Eddie Robinson is the likely replacement, but Camilo looked to return to the game just as the half time whistle was blown.

More to come from this match after the half time break .

Bobby Boswell tapped in a beauty of a cross from Danny Cruz to retake the lead from Vancouver in the 42nd minute of the match.

That will be the sort of response Kinnear wants from his team.

Just seconds after Cam Weaver gave Houston a 1-0 lead, Davide Chiumiento found Camilo in the box who rocketed a clinical finish past Tally Hall. Hall’s defense let him down there, but Camilo’s strike looked unstoppable.

With that assist, Chiumiento now has four assists on the season.

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will not be happy with that lapse from his defense.

Cam Weaver gave Houston a 1-0 leave in the 37th minute after stretching for a tap-in just inside the six yard box. The ball found it’s way to Weaver from after Bobby Boswell deflected a Brad Davis corner kick.

Jonathan Leathers picked up the first yellow card of the match after bringing down Brad Davis a yard outside of the box.

The resulting free kick was a good cross to Will Bruin who could not get enough on the ball due to pressure, but earned a corner kick for his effort.

Danny Cruz had Houston’s best effort of the half (so far) after his shot smashed the crossbar and went out of bounds for a goal kick. Cruz’s shot came on the end of some great individual skill from the midfielder, who managed to create some space and take the shot from just outside the box.

Danny Cruz continues to threaten from the right wing and just had a cross picked out of the air by Nolly before Cam Weaver could get on the end of it. Cruz has been a bit inconsistent this year, but is already looking much better tonight.

Moments after carving apart the Houston defense, Camilio was one-on-one with Andre Hainault, and decided to run the ball right into the defender. It’s hard to tell if there was contact, but Camilio made the most of the moment and was looking for a penalty and possible red card for Hainault; no call was given.

After seeing a replay, it looks like Camilio dragged his leg behind him to initiate contact.

In the 11th minute, Brazilian forward Camilio gave the first showing of his skill after carving apart Houston’s defense before opting to pass instead of shoot. His cross was punched away by an aggressive Tally Hall, who came off his line to make the play. Houston’s defense needs to be aware of the forward and the quickness he brings.

Will Bruin nearly gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute after heading a ball on target, but into the arms of Whitecaps goalkeeper, Jay Nolly. Bruin was unable to get much power on the header after colliding with Cam Weaver in the box.

We’re just a few minutes into the game, and Houston has already created a number of good chances in the box. The decision to start Cam Weaver up top has worked, as the tall forward has already won two or three headers. Will Bruin seems hungry for a goal and has been active.

Here’s your line-up for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC:

F: Camilio
F: Atiba Harris
M: Jeb Brovsky
M: Alain Rochat
M: Nizar Khalfan
M: Davide Chiumiento
D: Blake Wagner
D: Jay DeMerit ©
D: Michael Bozall
D: Jonathan Leathers
GK: Jay Nolly

Subs: Joe Cannon, Kevin Harmse, Mouloud Akloul, Bilal Duckett, Wes Knight, Omar Salgado, Russell Teibert

The big news from Vancouver’s line-up is the return of United States’ National Team defender, Jay DeMerit, who is coming off of a groin strain. Brazilian forward Camilio gets the start in place of the suspended Eric Hassli, alongside former FC Dallas forward Atiba Harris. Also notable is the inclusion of Omar Salgado, who, for the first time tonight, is eligible to play for the Whitecaps.

Good news, Dynamo fans, it looks like the injury concerns surrounding Geoff Cameron and Brad Davis have lifted as both players are in Houston's starting XI.  Here is your full line-up for the Houston Dynamo:

F: Will Bruin
F: Cam Weaver
LM: Brad Davis (C)
CAM: Geoff Cameron
CDM: Lovel Palmer
RM: Danny Cruz
LB: Corey Ashe
CB: Bobby Boswell
CB: Andre Hainault
RB: Hunter Freeman
GK: Tally Hall

Subs: Tyler Deric (GK), Mike Chabala, Eddie Robinson, Kofi Sarkodie, Colin Clark, Alex Dixon, Jason Garey