Houston pounced early. Photo courtesy of Diego Diaz.
by Matt Hoffman
The Timbers may have been the beneficiaries of luck but in the end, the home team earned the three points, besting Houston 3-2 before a sellout crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Portland wasted no time attacking Houston. With a healthy, first-choice lineup, the Timbers attacked early and often pressuring the right side of the Dynamo back-line and pressuring Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric into service with saves in the opening minutes.
It would not last. Much like the disastrous first half between these teams when they met at Providence Park, early effort by the Timbers would segue into missed opportunities and Houston would take a 2-0 lead into halftime on a five minute period where the Timbers mentally dropped out of the game.
Surely that wouldn’t happen again. It did but sooner this time as the Timbers had dug themselves into a 2-0 hole by the 30th minute.
Despite their strong start, the Timbers midfield was bossed and their defense proved to be ineffective against the Dynamo’s counter. Could this be Houston’s first road win since July 10th, 2015?
Portland did not lose that August match. A spirited comeback was led by Lucas Melano. So there were elements of Groundhog Day when Melano scored in the 64th minute.
Alvas Powell’s return to the lineup lasted 66 minutes until he was replaced by Zarek Valentin. While Darren Mattocks seemed to find his groove in the second half, he was replaced in favor of Jack McInerney in the 70th.
With the goal deficit at one and fresh legs, the Timbers looked to attack and wasted not time in doing so. A 73rd minute volley from McInerney was at a tough angle. McInerney was back at it again in the 75th minute with a header to the left. Two minutes later, a Adi header fell straight to Joe Willis who caught it. In the 79th minute, Valeri’s shot from outside the box missed to the left.
Finally, a handball in the box by from former Timber Horst gave the Timbers that opportunity. Valeri stood to take the penalty. Willie went left. So too did Valeri, but higher and with velocity.
Valeri and Melano were not done. Melano gave chase to a ball in the box. It is was pushed away by Joe Willis who clipped Melano in the process.
Houston players immediately crowded around referree Hilario Grajeda and for an extended period of time it was unclear what the outcome would be. In the end, the call was for a penalty which Valeri converted, this time going to his right.
The Timbers return on Wednesday for the US Open Cup.
