VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Defender Griffin Dorsey had a goal in each half, scoring the winner in the 87th minute as the Houston Dynamo blew a two-goal lead before rallying for a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.
Houston (10-7-7) took a 2-0 lead into halftime on goals by Adalberto Carrasquilla and Dorsey. Carrasquilla used Ibrahim Aliyu's fourth assist of the season to score his second goal for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. Dorsey followed with his first netter this season, scoring unassisted in the 36th minute.
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Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, right, Bjorn Inge Utvik, left, and Ranko Veselinovic, front center, celebrate Veselinovic's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Defender Griffin Dorsey had a goal in each half, scoring the winner in the 87th minute as the Houston Dynamo blew a two-goal lead before rallying for a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla celebrates after his goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, left, is upended by Houston Dynamo's Artur, front right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, right, and Griffin Dorsey (25) celebrate after Carrasquilla's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko, back, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, right, and Houston Dynamo's Griffin Dorsey, left, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Andres Cubas (20) and Houston Dynamo's Hector Herrera, left, collide during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, right, and Griffin Dorsey (25) celebrate Carrasquilla's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, center, who was substituted out of the match in the 30th minute, walks from the sideline during halftime of an MLS soccer match against against the Houston Dynamo in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) allows a goal to Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka allows a goal to Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, right, Bjorn Inge Utvik, left, and Ranko Veselinovic, front center, celebrate Veselinovic's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ranko Veselinovic during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault (11) celebrates his goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark, back center, watches as Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, front, scores a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fafà Picault scored two of Vancouver’s three unanswered goals and the Whitecaps (11-8-5) rallied to take a 3-2 lead.
Picault scored unassisted with a header three minutes into the second half to pull Vancouver within a goal.
Picault set up a score by defender Ranko Veselinović in the 54th minute to knot the score. It was the second goal of the campaign for Veselinović and the fourth assist for Picault.
The Whitecaps took the lead in the 66th minute when Picault used assists from defender Sam Adekugbe — his second — and Sebastian Berhalter — his fourth — to score his eighth goal of the season.
The Dynamo pulled even in the 78th minute when defender Brad Smith took a pass from Sebastián Ferreira and scored for a second time this season. Ferreira's helper was his third.
Dorsey scored the winner unassisted off a rebound with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Steve Clark finished with three saves in goal for Houston.
Yohei Takaoka stopped two shots for Vancouver.
Houston has lost just once in its last 10 matches. The Dynamo used a goal by defender Daniel Steres in the 86th minute to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on Wednesday.
Forward Ezequiel Ponce, who the Dynamo signed last month, started in his MLS debut after the secondary transfer window opened on Thursday. Houston signed the 27-year-old Argentinian from AEK Athens in Greece on a club-record transfer fee. Ferreira subbed in for Ponce to begin the second half.
The Whitecaps lost for the first time in their last six matches, going 4-1-1. Vancouver posted a 6-2 victory the last time Houston came to town in May of last season.
The league goes into a month-long break to play for the Leagues Cup. Houston will host Toronto FC when play resumes on Aug. 24. The Whitecaps will host Los Angeles FC on Aug. 24.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, center, is upended by Houston Dynamo's Artur, front right, in front of referee Fotis Bazakos, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla celebrates after his goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, left, is upended by Houston Dynamo's Artur, front right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, right, and Griffin Dorsey (25) celebrate after Carrasquilla's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko, back, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, right, and Houston Dynamo's Griffin Dorsey, left, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Andres Cubas (20) and Houston Dynamo's Hector Herrera, left, collide during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, right, and Griffin Dorsey (25) celebrate Carrasquilla's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, center, who was substituted out of the match in the 30th minute, walks from the sideline during halftime of an MLS soccer match against against the Houston Dynamo in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) allows a goal to Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla, during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka allows a goal to Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, right, Bjorn Inge Utvik, left, and Ranko Veselinovic, front center, celebrate Veselinovic's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Houston Dynamo's Erik Sviatchenko vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ranko Veselinovic during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault (11) celebrates his goal against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark, back center, watches as Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, front, scores a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
DUBLIN (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Irish counterpart, Saturday in what was billed as an attempt to reset relations between the two countries after years of tensions following the U.K.'s departure from the European Union.
Starmer's visit to meet Irish premier Simon Harris is the first by a British leader to Ireland in five years. It is a further sign that the two wish to deepen relations on economic and security matters. Harris was the first international leader Starmer hosted following his Labour Party's landslide election victory on July 4.
“Today is really significant because we have made clear our ambition to reset the relationship and today we take that forward," Starmer said after the afternoon meeting with Harris at Farmleigh House in Dublin, the Irish Government’s formal reception house for state visits. “We are clear that by March we want to have a summit to show the yield from this and then annual summits after that.”
Relations between the two countries have been strained ever since the U.K. voted in June 2016 to leave the European Union, especially in light of how it affected the political structures of Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K.
When the U.K. left the bloc, the British government and the EU agreed to keep the Irish border free of customs posts and other checks because an open border is a key pillar of the peace process that ended 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland. Later, Starmer's Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak renegotiated the initial agreement, and that has won the support of both sides of the Northern Irish political divide.
Starmer said now was a chance to further solidify the relations, both with Ireland as well as the EU. He has said that the U.K. will not seek to rejoin the EU under his leadership, nor the bloc's frictionless single market and customs union. However, he has made it clear that he wants to renegotiate elements of the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU in order to bolster growth.
“We are also resetting our relationship with the EU and I have made it very clear that I want a closer relationship with the EU," he said. “That is of course on security, on defense, but also on trade, reducing the friction and any business here in Ireland will tell you that reducing the friction helps and so we want to reset that relationship."
He has been touring EU capitals since he got elected in the hope of generating the goodwill to move forward on that front, as well as "stand together" on international issues such as the war in Ukraine.
The two leaders participated in a business roundtable in Dublin to explore how a “reset” in relations can benefit trade. The economic relationship is worth around 120 billion euros ($130 billion), supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The two leaders headed off after the early meeting to a soccer match between Ireland and England in Dublin, which provided them with a clear photo opportunity. They swapped jerseys with Starmer holding up an Irish shirt with his surname on it and Harris holding up an England jersey with his name on it.
“We will have intense and friendly competition, and then we will renew and reset again later in the evening,” said Harris, who is also new in the job having been elected premier in April.
Starmer, a keen soccer player, laughed when asked if he would wear it to the match later.
“It will make an appearance in my nine-a-side," he said. "This will be proudly worn in north London before too long.”
Pylas contributed from London.
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left and his British counterpart Keir Starmer hold up their respective national soccer teams shirts, with their names on their opposite teams shirt, at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left listens to his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left listens to his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left watch as his British counterpart Keir Starmer signs the visitors book as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left, gestures as he greets his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, right speaks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left, and his British counterpart Keir Starmer hold up their respective national soccer teams shirts, with their names on their opposite teams shirt, at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Ireland and England play a nations league soccer match in Dublin later. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left, gestures as he greets his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, right, listens to his British counterpart Keir Starmer as they meet for talks at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)
The Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, left, and his British counterpart Keir Starmer hold up their respective national soccer teams shirts, with their names on their opposite teams shirt, at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Ireland and England play a nations league soccer match in Dublin later. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison Pool)