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Harjeet Johal ,

March 27, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo continued a busy week of football action at BC Place. After watching Mexico beat Canada 3-0 on Friday night, 22,120 spectators filled BC Place to watch Vancouver and Houston. The Whitecaps had the better scoring opportunities through 90 minutes and came away with a 1-0 win thanks to a Pedro Morales converted penalty. The Chilean midfielder now leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 4 goals scored and all from the spot. "It's a big win, yes I think it's very important when you win here in our house with your fans, said Morales. "Maybe in the second half I think the team no play well, but in the first half we kept possession of the ball and took a lot of chances. It's always important when you win here and now we have a big, big game next Saturday against the (LA) Galaxy." What's the key to scoring on a penalty kick, Morales puts it down to confidence and just having the ability to come up clutch. He doesn't spend too much time on the training ground practicing penalty kicks, but he's quite effective in big game situations. "I don't know, nothing special. Just confidence. People sometimes say when you maybe have scored a penalty, it's no good. You have to take the penalty, no. Some big players have lost penalties, but I have a 100 percent effect now. Four penalties, and four goals." At the other end of the pitch, David Ousted made five saves on the night and received some help from his crossbar, and post. The Whitecaps goalkeeper earned his first clean sheet of 2016 and was happy with the showing from the Vancouver back-four. “Pure results, I think we kept a clean sheet and won one- nil, so looking at it that way we did tremendously well. Is there things we can clean up, probably, we need to be better on a lot of points but today we got a clean sheet. Three points is the most important thing.” The Opening 45

The Whitecaps makeshift back-four was anchored by Pa-Modou Kah and newcomer Andrew Jacobson. International duty meant that Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Christian Bolanos, and Blas Perez were unavailable for Vancouver. The home side made out with what they did have and that meant the first career MLS start for Japanese striker Masato Kudo. Chances were plenty for the Whitecaps in the early going. Octavio Rivero had a pair of flicks on goal from crosses that were easily stopped by Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis. Masato Kudo provided an injection of pace and creativity and had his own scoring chances. The best coming from a 2v1 with Fraser Aird. Kudo was not able to convert as he fired his shot into the keeper. Newly converted centre-back Andrew Jacobson also had an attempt on target that was turned aside by Joe Willis. The fortunes from the spot continued for Vancouver as Masato Kudo earned the Whitecaps fourth penalty of the season in the 21' minute after being taken down on a potential cross from Jalil Anibaba. Pedro Morales stepped up and fired to the left of Joe Willis to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead in the 23'. Houston Coach Owen Coyle strongly opposed to the penalty given to Morales. Pedro doing what Pedro does. Last time he missed a penalty? September 2014. #VWFC pic.twitter.com/MHS4l62591 — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) March 27, 2016 "The penalty, I've managed to score a few goals and I've been involved as a player or coach, if you want my opinion. Again, I stress again my opinion, that's a tough ball and never a penalty in a million years. But, unfortunately for us it is given and he (Pedro Morales) is a very, very good player, the lad that dispatched it." The 30 year-old Morales has not missed a penalty since the 2014 season. When asked about the penalty call, he wasn't concerned. "I just shoot and I score, this is my job," revealed Morales. "The referee has to make the decision if it's a penalty. It's not my problem, but I'll have to see on TV if it's a penalty. My work is to score goals." While Vancouver had the earlier scoring opportunities, Houston did well to create offense as well. The best opportunity to equalize the match came from a volley off the boot of Leonel Miranda that struck the crossbar. In the 36', Andrew Wenger found himself near the Vancouver net. From a sharp angle, David Ousted was able to make a terrific save to keep Vancouver ahead. At the half, the Whitecaps led 1-0 thanks to Pedro Morales. Vancouver claimed a 52% - 48% advantage in possession. I remember when Robbo earned massive respect for subbing forwards in, even with a slim advantage. Now he has gone full Renniesque. #VWFC — Kasey Hunter (@KRWJonze) March 27, 2016 Aird is going to be a very good RB by the end of the season. You can see him figuring it out a little bit more, with every appearance. #VWFC — GlassCity (@GlassCityFC) March 27, 2016

The Second Half

Vancouver's defensive front continued to play a strong game as Houston was unable to mount a strong offensive array of chances in the Whitecaps half. Owen Coyle elected to bring on Adboulie Mansally, and Muaro Mantoas to create more scoring opportunities for Houston. The Whitecaps bent, but they did not break. Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark was left open in the box and fired his shot off the far post in the 72' minute. The orange clad visitors had trouble getting forward and that left Vancouver to run out the clock. Houston had few moments of glimmering offense that fizzled into thin air. São Paulo, Brazil native, Alex had a low curling shot in the 85' that David Ousted had to be quick to stop. Vancouver did just enough to win and pickup all three points. While Houston has been scoring goals for fun, they didn't present enough in the final third to really threaten the Whitecaps at BC Place. Although the Whitecaps have yet to score a goal this season from open play, picking up back to back wins over Seattle and Houston is just what the need heading into April. Pedro Morales has been clinical from the penalty spot, but that's not the most important thing for the MLS leading goal-scorer. "I'm the leader, ah nice (laughs). For me it's more important when the team wins. I'm happy to have scored four goals and now I'm looking forward for the next game, keep it up with the team and continue to work everyday at training for the next game." Man of the Match







Masato Kudo

Kudo provide a lovely spark for the Whitecaps with offensive threats Blas Perez, and Christian Bolanos away on international duty. This was Kudo's first appearance in Major League Soccer and he showed that he has a lot to offer. Pedro Morales was able to lob long balls up to Kudo who was then able to track them down and create offense. Kudos also drew the Whitecaps penalty that resulted in the lone goal of the match. The Japanese import will be a great addition to the Vancouver offense going forward as long as he can earn playing time and improve each and every game. For tonight he was great. Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson offered up his assessment of Masato Kudo's MLS debut. “I thought his movement was very strong. We know that’s what he’s good at. He’ll be disappointed he didn’t score the goal. It was a great link of play. We usually set him up in training. We’re creating chances, which is good." Who was your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Fraser Aird, Andrew Jacobson, Pa-Modou Kah, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Pedro Morales(C); Cristian Techera 69 (Sam Adekugbe), Mastao Kudo 77 (Jordan Smith), Kekuta Manneh 86 (Nicolas Mezquida); Octavio Rivero. 4-2-3-1. Houston Dynamo Starting XI: Joe Willis; Jalil Anibaba, David Horst, Raul Rodríguez, DaMarcus Beasley(C); Alex, Ricardo Clark; Andrew Wenger 57 (Abdoulie Mansally), Cristian Maidana 64 (Mauro Manotas), Leonel Miranda, Will Bruin 81 (Rob Lovejoy). 4-3-3 Notes: Vancouver Whitecaps left-back Jordan Harvey earned his team leading 117th MLS regular season start.