Houston Dynamo FC lost to the Portland Timbers 2-0 this evening at BBVA Stadium.
The Timbers took the lead in the 15th minute after forward Felipe Mora headed a pass from inside the six-yard box directly at the hands of Dynamo goalkeeper Michael Nelson. The ball then ricocheted off Nelson to the waiting foot of Portland forward Yimmi Chará, who tapped it into the back of the net. Nelson, a native of Katy, Texas, was making his second MLS start for his hometown club.
The Timbers doubled their lead five minutes later after referee Rubiel Vasquez used video review to award Portland a penalty kick due to a foul inside the box by Nelson. Mora converted the penalty to increase the Timbers’ lead to 2-0.
The first chance for the Dynamo came in the 23rd minute, when defender Teenage Hadebe found forward Fafa Picault for a header that went just wide of the goal. Hadebe also led the team in possessions gained in this match with nine recoveries.
The Dynamo had a flurry of late scoring chances at the end of the first half. In the 45th minute, forward Tyler Pasher generated a corner kick off a deflected shot. The Canadian international swung the ball into the box and the ball once again found the head of Picault for a shot, but it fell into the arms of the Portland keeper.
The second half saw a continuation of the Houston advantage in generating chances on goal, but the Dynamo were unable to break through. The first chance of the half came when midfielder Memo Rodriguez put a direct free kick on goal from just outside of the penalty area. He struck the ball with pace to the bottom left corner of the goal, but Clark was able to push it wide.
Urruti generated another close call in the 67th minute when he received a pass from midfielder Darwin Quintero inside the 18-yard-line and fired a first-touch shot which narrowly missed the edge of the goal. Houston had a final chance to pull a goal back late when defender Sam Junqua rose above the Portland defense to put a headed shot on frame, but Clark was able to parry it over the crossbar.
The Dynamo will conclude their four-game home stretch next Saturday night when they welcome Austin FC into town for a match presented by Lexus. Kickoff for that match is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT and tickets are available at HoustonDynamoFC.com/Tickets.
