3160ym1911501262801858112813">The last time the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers faced off was three weeks into the season, a goalfest in Portland between two of the top three clubs in the league. On Saturday, they face off in Houston (7 p.m. | TICKETS), again two of the top clubs in the Western Conference, with possibly more goals in store.
3160ym1911501262801858112818">The Dynamo are coming off two consecutive road results for the first time this season – a nil-nil draw against Minnesota United FC on Wednesday followed by a 3-1 win at D.C. United. Combined with the 3-1 win over Montreal at home on July 5, it puts the Dynamo on a three-game unbeaten streak and the team looks to keep the momentum going against the Timbers.
3160ym1911501262801858112823">“We cannot rest,” Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said. “We have a lot of games in front of us, we have a very tough game on Saturday against one of the top teams in the Western Conference, which is not a secret – the Portland Timbers have an unbelievable amount of players individually and collectively as a team that know how to play.”
3160ym1911501262801858112828">The Dynamo haven’t been flawless when playing at BBVA Compass Stadium this season but they’ve yet to collect a loss in MLS play (8-0-2) and have generated the most goals by a home team (28). Defender A.J. DeLaGarza wants the team to be aware of a Timbers side that has been one of the better scoring teams on the road.
3160ym1911501262801858112833">“We didn’t come into this season wanting to win one road game,” said DeLaGarza. “We've got to continue to get points and if we don’t win this weekend, then what did that win in D.C. do for us? It’s important to keep going, keep pushing and stay at the top of the Western Conference.”
3160ym1911501262801858112838">Houston will be at virtually full-strength as they welcome back Alberth Elis, Boniek Garcia, Erick Torres and Romell Quioto from Gold Cup play. Midfielder Alex – named to the MLS Team of the Week this past week – is also in top form as he leads the league in assists (10) alongside FC Dallas’ Michael Barrios and Toronto FC’s Victor Vazquez.
3160ym1911501262801858112843">The Timbers are still looking for their first win in Houston (0-3-2) and will be lead by MLS All-Star Diego Valeri, who leads his team in goals and assists. Portland also counts on other players like Fanendo Adi, Darlington Nagbe and newcomer Sebastian Blanco, but it’s the tactical matchup with head coach Caleb Porter that Cabrera points to as one of the big challenges on Saturday.
3160ym1911501262801858112846">“The coach is a person who knows how to manage the players; he has been in a difficult situation and he has proved that he can get out of that situation with a lot of smart movements," Cabrera said. "We respect that, we respect the Portland Timbers, but this is our home and at home, we go for the three points – with respect, but we go for the win."
