(1) Portland Timbers (2,0,1, 7 points) vs (13) Houston Dynamo (0,1,1, 1 point)
Saturday, March 16, 2024, KO 5:30 PM PST
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas
Portland Timbers Briefly
Last season is still fresh in the Portland Timbers’ memories after the Houston Dynamo, mastered the Rose City side in both games of the season and eliminated them of any possible run into the postseason.
Well, that’s in the past and now the Timbers are looking to fly high under their new man in the helm Phil Neville, and for sure these are looking renewed as well its defensive game looking very upgraded.
However, every game possesses a challenge for the Rose City side to be taken seriously, so far with the intensity and challenge they will be coming in the course of the whole season.
With every game, Neville will be taking every game seriously and taking all the measures to display a great game and offer its followers a great spectacle, somehow, I foresee a very interesting campaign here in Rip City!
As the offensive game has its upside too. The dynamic duo of Brazilians Antony and Evander are shaping things up in Rose City as an all-around contender and very well looking forward to these two contributions. Not forgetting another Brazilian in Nathan Fogaca that anytime the Carioca can open up his scoring count.
Still, the rumors don’t cease of getting a natural number 9 in the lineup for the Portland Timbers as many places Club America winger- forward Jonathan Rodriguez in the Timbers roster, but is nothing is official or confirmed yet.
The Timbers have a couple of DP spots open. Who they get will be up to this team in order to become the contender that manager Neville envisioned for this 2024 season as well looking forward to a return to the postseason.
One thing this team is looking forward to is displaying an amazing season with a lot of ups and few downs. Fans are looking forward to see an uplift in the team performance on the road and hopefully the team can improve in this area.
We are looking forward to an interesting campaign, by seeing a lot of developments in many areas as previously said we can see a progress on the road, alongside seeing Neville taking the Rose City side to the promised land of the playoffs.
Houston Dynamo Briefly
For second year manager Ben Olsen, he never imagined his team’s slow start, and the toll of his team play with the absence of several of its important players sidelined with injuries.
So far, the team has only earned a point in three matches and looking for a win at home against the Portland Timbers. The Dynamo defeated the Timbers twice last season and knocked them out of the playoffs.
Injuries can really take a toll on a team performance and the Dynamo are experiencing it with a number of its starting players not being able to perform as they are currently out on injured reserve.
For a team that last season won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating Inter Miami sans Lionel Messi, the Dynamo made it into the semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs and losing to LAFC.
The team comes with the label of favorites for this 2024 season, but currently sit in thirteenth place and are looking to earn their first win of this season.
Meetings
10/21/2023 Portland Timbers 1-3 Houston Dynamo
08/20/2023 Houston Dynamo 5-0 Portland Timbers
06/29/2022 Portland Timbers 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Forecast
The momentum is riding on the Rose City side looking forward to another win on the road
Photo Credit Portland Timbers F.C.
