Torres scores MLS-leading 8th goal in Dynamo’s 2-1 victory

HOUSTON — Erick Torres scored his MLS-leading eighth goal of the season on a penalty kick to help the Houston Dynamo beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Friday night.

Houston (6-3-1) moved into first place in the Western Conference with its sixth victory at home. Vancouver (4-5-1) had its two-game road winning streak snapped.

“We actually had very clear-cut chances today but unfortunately we were unable to take them,” said Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson. “We scored once late on, but we dug ourselves a little bit of a hole with a soft goal in the first half.

“I thought the second half the boys were outstanding…. we stepped up a level in the second half.”