Whitecaps’ dynamic duo clicks in win over Houston
Montero, Reyna lead Vancouver to 2-1 victory
VANCOUVER — Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson envisioned nights like Saturday when he signed Fredy Montero and Yordy Reyna over the winter.
It just took longer than expected to get Vancouver’s dynamic duo clicking on the same field.
Montero cooly slotted home a penalty in the first half before Reyna struck with a stunning shot from distance 15 minutes later as the Whitecaps beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1.
“That’s the reason I brought them in,” said Robinson. “It’s nice when it works.”
Montero joined Vancouver from his club in China on a year-long loan and made his 19th start, but Reyna, who signed on from FC Red Bull Salzburg, broke his foot in pre-season and only returned to action on July 1.
“We are more focused on helping the team than trying to reach individual goals,” said Montero. “We’re happy to contribute.”
The Columbian striker has looked marooned at times at the top of the Whitecaps’ formation, but seems to already have good chemistry working with Reyna set up just behind him.
“If I can hold the ball long enough for him to come support me, then that’s good for the team,” said Montero. “We have different kinds of players that can go 1-on-1, who can shoot on goal.”
Montero converted his penalty in the 17th minute after Reyna was fouled by Boniek Garcia, sending Houston ’keeper Tyler Deric the wrong way with a shot that kissed the right post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Montero then turned provider for Reyna, who grabbed the ball outside the Dynamo box and curled an incredible right-foot effort from 20 yards out for his second that a leaping Deric could only watch fly into the top corner.
“We had him in pre-season, so we got a little glimpse of it,” Whitecaps midfielder Andrew Jacobson said of Reyna. “We got to see it and then it got taken away. Now he’s really starting to come into his own.”
Reyna was everywhere on this night, terrorizing Houston defenders at will, and getting fouled plenty of times.
“I hope he gets the protection that other players like him get,” said Robinson. “He’s like a rash. He’s all over the place.”
The Whitecaps (10-9-4), who moved into the sixth and final playoff spot in MLS’ Western Conference, started a stretch of six in seven at B.C. Place Stadium that will be crucial to their post-season aspirations.