(8) Portland Timbers (2,2,3, 9 points) vs (6) Houston Dynamo (3,1,2, 11 points)
Saturday April 1, 2022, KO 3:00 PM PST/ 6:00 PM EST
PNC Stadium, Houston, Texas
Portland Timbers Briefly
When this team plays with resolve and determination, great things happen!
A familiar team that had not been displaying strong football on the road, last Sunday, showed the opposite, and now look forward to putting that image behind them and becoming a tough one to beat.
One thing this team needs is to preserve its lead and not let the opposite teams get big on their game in the ending minutes as it happened at BC Place when the Vancouver Whitecaps almost rallied and could cost the Timbers three points.
The need to avoid unnecessary mistakes, especially in its defensive backfield will be imperative for this club’s success playing on the road and building up its game and momentum playing as a tough visitor.
However, something positive was the offensive game the team displayed and got all its three goals from its offensive core playing with a lot of ambition and firmness. Plus, taking advantage of the opportunities they were given.
That said, another red flag is the number of yellow cards some players were getting and, in the end, could not be detrimental in the long run. But overall, the team is looking for a turnaround and they are looking good.
Still, like every team, they will be facing the need to adjust to the challenges and defensively looking forward to containing the likes of Houston’s newest acquisition and striker in Sebastian Ferreira, Darwin Quintero, and Adalberto Carrasquilla.
Portland is showing signs of a shift by displaying a great game and seeing some of its players showing signs of confidence, another win on the road will be huge for these Timbers.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larry’s Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Yimmi Chara
Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo front office didn’t hesitate to build up a contender as well reinforcing many of its needs at both offense as well as defense, starting with the arrival of pedigree goalkeeper Steve Clark.
In addition to giving the direction of the club to Pablo Nagamura as well bringing several players to build up and see a return of the Houston side to its glory days as well as see a return to postseason play.
With the team giving an opportunity to its Home-Grown and Generation Adidas players, the outlook of this team’s future looks very promising and looking forward to accomplishing its lost greatness.
So far, all of Texas’s three teams are currently playing one amazing game of football, and huge results are very visible for all of them. The Dynamo currently is seeded in sixth place after getting a huge win at home over San Jose last weekend.
With a new team owner, general manager, and manager, the Dynamo so far are fulfilling its goals set ahead for this contested 2022 season, but can they deliver a blow to the Portland side coming with a lot of momentum.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Griffin Dorsey, Ethan Bartlow, Tenagee Hadebe, Adam Lundqvist; Adalberto Carrasquilla, Matias Vera; Tyler Pasher, Darwin Quintero, Fafa Picault; Sebastian Ferreira
Meetings
09/03/2021 Houston Dynamo 0-2 Portland Timbers
06/23/2021 Houston Dynamo 2-2 Portland Timbers
04/24/2021 Portland Timbers 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Forecast
The Timbers come with momentum to PNC Park, can they continue their winning ways on the road
