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Quick Strikes: Five numbers to know for Houston Dynamos vs. Portland Timbers - Apr. 27, 2014

Will Johnson, Timbers vs. TFC, 9.7.13

Portland is on the road this weekend, and taking on on the Houston Dynamo in the state of Texas. The Timbers and Dynamo--who are winless in their last five after a 4-0 drubbing at New York on Wednesday--are both looking for a key win to put their seasons back down the right path, and a victory could go a long way for either team. A win would go a long way for both teams. Let's take a look at five numbers to know before things kick off on Sunday (12pm PT, KPTV).


53 + 70 The Portland Timbers (53) and Houston Dynamo (70) have combined for a total of 123 chances created in the run of play this season. The combination is one of the highest totals among the matchups this weekend around MLS, second only to New York Red Bulls-Columbus Crew.


94 Timbers forward Darlington Nagbe has 94 passes during the 2014 MLS season in the final third of the pitch. Portland ranks eighth in MLS in total passes in the opponent half on the season.


3The Timbers are one of just three clubs in MLS that Houston is yet to get a win against at BBVA Compass Stadium. Moreover, the Dynamo have three players with Portland connections: former Timbers on their roster include defenders Eric Brunner and David Horst while rookie Mark Sherrod played for the Portland Timbers U-23s.


9,696 Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall is an MLS iron man. The native of Washington state has been on the Dynamo roster since 2009, and in that span has racked up 9,696 minutes played going into Sunday's game. That makes him the MLS active minutes leader over that period. Portland's Diego Chara, the Timbers MLS career leader in minutes played, is 16th over the same period with 8,241 minutes played.


Seven The Portland Timbers are tied for seventh in MLS in goals scored. They also have seven shots that have hit the bar in 2014, which is the most in the league. If their shots had glanced in, Portland would be second in MLS in goals scored.