Quest to reclaim hot play begins

The Dynamo have gotten used to dealing with disappointing results, but the one they suffered last weekend hit a little differently.

They were coming off a seven-point week that began with their snapping a franchise-record 16-game winless streak, and although they were set to face one of the league’s toughest teams on the road, they felt like they were up to the challenge with their newfound confidence.

All of that confidence went away quickly when Minnesota United scored in the first minute and again early in the first half — reminding the Dynamo that they still have a long way to go.

Houston (5-11-11, 26 points) has had a short week to pick up the pieces as it will play host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at BBVA Stadium. The Dynamo will feel good to be at home, but they would feel better if they were still riding the momentum from the previous week.

“We were probably at our best moment,” Dynamo coach Tab Ramos said. “Unfortunately, we made a couple of mistakes that made it difficult for us to turn the game around. And now we have to pick ourselves back up. We’ve been in this situation before. It doesn’t matter who’s coming in to play against us.

“Right now we just have to respect the team that is coming in. We have to win the game.”

The team that is coming in was at the bottom of the Western Conferencte standings with the Dynamo, but a coaching change and the addition of designated player Ryan Gauld to the midfield have made the Whitecaps (8-8-9, 33 points) a strong team.

They are 6-1-6 in their last 13 league games and sit within three points of the playoff line. One of Vancouver’s strengths during that stretch has been its defense. The Whitecaps have conceded seven goals in their last nine games.

Another strength has been the way they have evolved their attack. Gauld, the new No. 10, has been a big part of that. He has created more opportunities for leading scorers Cristian Dajome and Brian White.

“I’d say they found different ways of scoring goals,” Dynamo defender Sam Junqua said. “At the beginning of the season, they were very dangerous on the set piece, which they still are, but they’ve also added different parts of the game. They’ve added a few players. Their formation has changed, and that gives them a bit of a different look.”

Although the Dynamo will be facing a team with a different look, they can be confident in the fact they are unbeaten this season in two games against Vancouver.

Houston could also get a boost with the return of winger Tyler Pasher from injury. Pasher had a hot start to the season but has been plagued by injuries.

Fellow winger Corey Baird could also get more minutes Wednesday. He returned against Minnesota from his own injury absence.

Those additions to the attack likely will serve the Dynamo well, as will having a short memory of last weekend’s game, which served as a shocking return to reality.

“We’re refocused, because in these three-game weeks, there’s no time to dwell,” Junqua said. “We have to pick ourselves back up.”