This Wednesday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC visited Houston at the Shell Energy Stadium, securing a comfortable win with a scoreline of 3-0. The opening goal came in the 3rd minute when Emmanuel Sabbi received the ball and finished expertly. The visitors maintained their momentum with another goal from Sebastian Berhalter in the 41st minute, as he skillfully outmaneuvered the opposing goalkeeper after a well-crafted play. To seal the deal, Brian White added a third goal just 9 minutes into the second half.
Fans erupted in cheers when Sebastian Berhalter struck the ball into the net during the first half’s 41st minute. Following a passing sequence from the right side, Berhalter’s shot from the edge of the box was perfectly placed, slipping past Jonathan Bond and finding the left post.
Brian White of Vancouver Whitecaps FC had a chance to increase the lead but missed a penalty in the 54th minute of the match.
The standout player of the match was undoubtedly Emmanuel Sabbi, who scored one goal and had three attempts on goal. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka also played a crucial role, making three vital saves.
Houston’s head coach, Benjamin Olsen, employed a 4-4-2 formation with Jonathan Bond in goal, supported by Felipe Andrade, Pablo Ortiz, Ethan Bartlow, and Franco Escobar in defense. The midfield featured Artur de Lima, Brooklyn Raines, Jack McGlynn, and Amine Bassi, while Ezequiel Ponce and Lawrence Ennali led the attack.
On the opposing side, Vancouver, managed by Jesper Sorensen, utilized a similar 4-4-2 setup with Yohei Takaoka guarding the net; Mathías Laborda, Bjorn Utvik, Ranko Veselinovic, and Tate Johnson formed the backline. The midfield consisted of Édier Ocampo, Ralph Priso, Sebastian Berhalter, and Emmanuel Sabbi, with Brian White and Daniel Rios upfront.
The match referee was Rubiel Vázquez.
In their next fixtures, Houston will host Philadelphia Union, while Vancouver faces the Portland Timbers at BC Place Stadium.
Changes for Houston
58’ 2T – Felipe Andrade was replaced by Griffin Dorsey, Lawrence Ennali by Ondrej Lingr, and Amine Bassi by Sebastian Kowalczyk
77’ 2T – Artur de Lima was substituted for Duane Holmes and Ethan Bartlow for Femi Awodesu
Yellow Cards for Houston:
33’ 1T Amine Bassi (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 48’ 2T Brooklyn Raines (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 75’ 2T Sebastian Kowalczyk (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 88’ 2T Femi Awodesu (Unsportsmanlike conduct), and 51’ 2T Franco Escobar (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Changes for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
71’ 2T – Daniel Rios was substituted for Jayden Nelson, and Ralph Priso for Andrés Cubas
84’ 2T – Ranko Veselinovic left the field for Jean-Claude Ngando, and Emmanuel Sabbi for Belal Halbouni
93’ 2T – Sebastian Berhalter was substituted out for Jeevan Badwal
Yellow Cards for Vancouver Whitecaps FC:
13’ 1T Sebastian Berhalter (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 37’ 1T Emmanuel Sabbi (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 49’ 2T Brian White (Unsportsmanlike conduct), and 24’ 2T Tate Johnson (Unsportsmanlike conduct)