Updated

Vancouver Whitecaps FC left it late at Empire 0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.

Goalkeeper Tally Hall was superb for the Dynamo, making impressive saves throughout the match. But he was unable to ensure a clean sheet, as Salinas broke the deadlock in the 86th minute to claim all three points for the Whitecaps.

After a scoreless first half, the best scoring opportunity of the game fell to Vancouver's leading scorer, Eric Hassli.

Getting on the end of a Gershon Koffie through ball, Hassli cut inside of the penalty box before unleashing a shot that was heading for the upper corner, but Hall parried the ball out of play.

As both teams traded scoring chances in the second period, it was an unlikely source who eventually conjured the game-winning goal.

Salinas collected a pass on the left flank from Long Tan before penetrating into the box and ripping a shot to the far post past Hall. It was midfielder's first goal of the year.

It was Vancouver's fourth win of the season, breaking a two-match losing skid for the club. It also snapped Houston's five-match unbeaten streak, as the Dynamo miss a chance to climb in the Eastern Conference standings.

Vancouver (4-13-9) returns to action on September 10 at Red Bull New York, while Houston (8-8-11) will face a tough road test at Sporting Kansas City the same day.