After announcing a new owner, Houston Dynamo hosted the Portland Timbers with a mission to defend their home and get three points to keep in playoffs spots. On the other side, Portland came to Houston wanting to take home some points in a place where they normally struggle to get wins.
The first half of the match was dominated by the Dynamo who took advantage of the weather in Houston as well as the Timbers having some of its key players, such as Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri, in the bench. The home side applied a high pressure in the visitor’s side of the field and that complicated them. Also, Houston had long possessions and that made the away team to run more. That definitely played a big factor on how the match was played by both sides.
Courtesy Houston Dynamo FC
In addition to the great game plan Dynamo’s coach Tab Ramos had for this match, the team scored fast in the match. Maynor Figueroa found the ball inside the box, after a great cross by Maxi Urruti, and put it in the back of the net for the partial 1-0 at the 15’.
Houston kept dominating the match. The PNW team could not find its rhythm and create little to nothing in offense. As Dynamo kept finding chances in their last third, Matias Vera found Tyler Pasher outside the box and his shot went in for the 2-0 at the 33’.
Just before the first half ended, Portland found a chance to score a goal, but the shot went wide.
The second half started way different than the first one. Portland was pressuring and being more aggressive in the attack. That helped them found an early goal via Dairon Asprilla at the 50’.
After the visitors put a goal in the scoreboard, the match became a very exciting one. Both teams were looking for goals. And just before the match ended, Jeremy Ebobisse found the ball inside the box for the equalizer.
Another match, same result for the Orange. They let the visitor side stole some points at home. On the other side, Timbers will leave the Space City after they rescued a point in a difficult match, where conditions were against them.
Now Houston will travel west to face Real Salt Lake, whereas Portland will host Minnesota United. Both matches will take place on Saturday, June 26th.
Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers
