MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2017
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 93 degrees
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Hosking, Nick Uranga Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath
Local TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst), Fletcher Johnson (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will play a second consecutive away game, traveling to face the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, July 29. Beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). The Timbers enter Saturday’s match coming off a 2-1 road win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 23, with forward Jeremy Ebobisse and midfielder Sebastián Blanco each scoring and recording an assist in the win. The Houston Dynamo enter Saturday’s game unbeaten in its last three league games, most recently defeating D.C. United 3-1 at RFK Stadium on July 22. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored with 12 so far this season.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 before 25,082 fans at BC Place on July 23. In his first career MLS start, forward Jeremy Ebobisse tallied a goal and an assist in the win, while midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored the game-winning goal and added an assist. Fielding a squad of 16 players, the Timbers opened the scoring in the 14th minute of play when Ebobisse scored his first career MLS goal, finishing midfielder Dairon Asprilla’s pass. Blanco added the team’s second goal in the 49th minute.
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
Behind three second-half goals, the Portland Timbers recorded their third win of the season with a 4-2 win against the Houston Dynamo on March 18.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the 12th regular-season meeting between Portland and Houston since the start of the 2011 MLS campaign. During that stretch, the Timbers are 0-3-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium, with the Dynamo taking a 3-1 win against Portland in the most recent meeting between the two teams in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2016. The Timbers are unbeaten in four of the last five matches played against Houston, with Portland taking a 4-2 win against the Dynamo earlier this season on March 18. Three different Timbers players scored in the win, with midfielder Diego Valeri notching a brace.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
Sitting in third place in the Western Conference, the Houston Dynamo enter Saturday’s game unbeaten in its last three league games, most recently defeating D.C. United 3-1 at RFK Stadium on July 22. At BBVA Compass Stadium, the Dynamo are unbeaten in 2017, with an 8-0-2 home record. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (12).
