It was bound to happen.
The Whitecaps weren’t terrible against the Houston Dynamo but ended up losing 4-1 to their playoff rivals in a game that was nothing but pure frustration for Vancouver.
They probably should have started with a more robust midfield than one that contained both Ahmed and Vite but ultimately is was a deflected free-kick, some terrible defending and two goals on the break that undid them.
On another night the Whitecaps could have got more than a late consolation goal, but they seemed both physically and mentally tired when the big decisions and the right passes needed to be made.
The player to come out best from the night was Ranko Veselinovic as the central defensive stalwart was rested and was able to watch his colleagues concede three goals to a team that didn’t really offer much other than hard work.
Elsewhere Pedro Vite struggled to have an impact in the deeper role that the coach seems to believe he is best suited to.
But the Ecuadorean is at his best when further forward and able to create chances for the strikers. How he fits in to a team that has Gauld and White as a front two remains to be seen.
Two more road games to go and if the Whitecaps win one of those it’s been a hugely successful road trip to set up three of the last four games at home.
Lose then both and it all gets a lot more stressful.
Time for the Soccer Shorts player ratings!
Takaoka-5, Brown-5, Laborda-4.5, Blackmon-2, Laryea-4.5, Raposo-4, Cubas-5, Vite-4, Ahmed-5.5*, Gauld-5.5, White-3 (Berhalter-4, Hoilett-4)
Soccer Shorts (The Director's Cut) 