Wild Scoring Fest in Portland: Timbers 4, Dynamo 2
Providence Park saw the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo play in a matchup between two Western Conference unbeaten teams.
Photos by Mark Hoffman
Captions by Ed Pham
Timbers and Dynamo finds themselves in a back and forth battle between two of West’s undefeated teams that resulted in Portland coming out of the victors by a scoreline of 4-2. Portland’s Diego Valeri gave the Timbers an early lead from the mark after Houston’s DeMarcus Beasley handball. However, Houston scored on a penalty and a sublime throughball from Alberth Elis found Romell Quioto, getting it past Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.
The second half found the Timbers in complete control. Three goals from Valeri, Guzman, and Adi in the second half helped the home side bounce back from the first half deficit to win in front of the Timbers Army at Providence Park. Portland now goes 3-0-0 and remain at the top of the league, while Houston drops their first points of the season and are now 2-1-0.
Both Teams Look to Attack Right Out of the Whistle
Portland’s Fanendo Adi found himself having plenty of battles against Houston defenders. This time, here he and Leonardo fight for position. The Timbers and Dynamo found chances early in the game to foreshadow a high scoring game between the two sides. Portland’s talisman striker had plenty of touches but wasn’t able to record a shot in the first half.
Houston’s defense has been very stout, as they kept the Timbers’ attack in check. Here, Houston’s Adolfo Machado fights off Diego Valeri to win the ball in the first half. Houston found themselves in a hole early before goals from Erick Torres and Romell Quioto gave Houston the lead in the first half.
Penalty Calls Dictate Opening Two Goals
Portland’s Diego Valeri celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the mark. Houston’s DeMarcus Beasley was whistled for a handball after deflecting a cross near the edge of the area. Houston keeper Tyler Deric guessed incorrectly as Valeri powered it down the middle of the goal.
Portland’s Jake Gleeson grabs Houston striker Romell Quioto’s driving free kick in the first half. Houston found a good share of possession and chances in the first half to keep the home side honest after a slow start.
Houston equalizes through a penalty taken by Erick “Cubo” Torres. The away side received a penalty after the ref found Portland’s Diego Chara to be guilty of a handball in the box. Despite Gleeson guessing correctly, Torres powered his penalty past the Timbers keeper.
Houston Overwhelmed by Portland Attack
Valeri got his brace after heading in Zarek Valentin’s cross. Valeri scored his second header goal this season after never scoring one in previous seasons. Timbers had controlled the game at the start of the second half and were rewarded with the equalizer. It was Valeri’s second brace of the season and his fifth goal in three games.
Portland’s David Guzman kisses the Timbers crest after scoring his first goal for the club and in the MLS. The Timbers continued to be relentless on the attack. Nagbe found himself fighting for the ball just atop the penalty area, giving the slightest of touches to a running Guzman. He managed to get it past Deric to give the Timbers the 3-2 lead in front of the Timbers Army.
Adi scores the Timbers’ fourth to seal up the game for the home side. Similar to the goal he scored against Minnesota United, Adi found himself running around Deric and scoring on the far post to the delight of the home fans. He’s now scored three goals in three games for the undefeated Timbers.
Goals, Smoke, and Log Slabs for the Timbers
Much like the first game of the season, there was plenty of green and gold smoke. The Timbers have scored a combined nine goals in two home games, showing midseason form early on in the season. Houston had only given up two goals prior to this game.
The Timbers lifted their log slabs the end of the game in front of the Timbers Army. The Timbers now take their 3-0-0 record to Columbus in a rematch of the 2015 MLS Cup, while Houston continue their road trip and head to the New York Red Bull with their 2-1-1 record.
Portland Timbers
