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Morales, Alex sent off as Dynamo earn tie with Whitecaps

Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports

After losing each of their first six games away from home, the Houston Dynamo earned their first road point of the season on Saturday night in a match that saw each side reduced to 10-men.

A DaMarcus Beasley opener was canceled out by Octavio Rivero’s finish in the second half as the Vancouver Whitecaps earned a 1-1 draw against the Dynamo at BC Place.

Shortly before halftime, both Alex and Whitecaps midfielder Pedro Morales were sent off following a confrontation between the two. Following a heated battle over the ball, the two exchanged shoves away from the ball, prompting referee Drew Fischer to send both players to the locker room.

Beasley’s opener came in the 20th minute, as the longtime U.S. Men’s National Team veteran provided his first goal of the 2016 season. Played in by Alex, Beasley darted into the box and weaved past a defender. Now in on goal, the Dynamo fullback ripped a shot past David Ousted to open the scoring.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Rivero provided the equalizer in spectacular fashion. On a corner kick, Rivero pounced on a loose ball by rifling a volleyed shot into the top corner, earning his side a 1-1 draw.

Following the tie, the Dynamo return to action on June 2 against FC Dallas, while the Whitecaps take on the New England Revolution on June 18.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Facing wave after wave of Whitecaps attacks, Tyler Deric provided a steady hand in the Dynamo goal. In total, the goalkeeper made six saves, earning the Dynamo a point that they may not have fully deserved.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

With his only save of the match, David Ousted provided a Save of the Week contender in the 86th minute. The Whitecaps goalkeeper made a spectacular diving stop on a close-range header to earn his side a point.

MATCH TO FORGET

Both Pedro Morales and Alex lost their cool on Saturday night, earning red cards to push each team to 10-men. It was a moment of immaturity for both following a hard battle, and now each will all but certainly miss action for their teams going forward.

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