MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees
Referee: Juan Guzman Jr.
Assistant Referees: Claudiu Badea, Peter Balciunas Fourth Official: Rubiel Vazquez
LOCAL TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter)
English Radio: KUFO 970 AM
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Portland enters Saturday’s match against the Houston Dynamo coming off a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 17, recording their 11th home win of the season. With the win, Portland matched its MLS club record for home wins in a season, while also recording the most home wins in MLS this season. Fanendo Adi and Diego Valeri each scored in the win for Portland. The Timbers venture into Saturday’s match with a 3-3-3 all-time record against Houston, including a 2-0-1 record in their last three matches after defeating the Dynamo 3-2 at Providence Park on June 26. Houston enters Saturday’s contest unbeaten in their last two games, drawing Sporting Kansas City 3-3 on Sept. 9 before winning 1-0 on the road against Real Salt Lake on Sept. 17.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-1 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sept. 17, tying their club record for MLS home wins in a single season (11) as the team notched its fourth consecutive home win at Providence Park in league play. Midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Fanendo Adi each tallied a goal in the second half for Portland, while midfielder Darren Mattocks recorded two assists.
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
The Portland Timbers scored three second-half goals to erase a two-goal deficit and defeat the Houston Dynamo 3-2 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on June 26.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
The Timbers square off against Houston on Saturday for the 10th time in MLS since 2011, marking the second and final regular-season meeting between the two teams this season. In their most recent fixture on June 26, the Timbers erased a two-goal deficit in the second half, with midfielder Diego Valeri scoring two goals in the final eight minutes of the game, including the game-winning goal in the 91st minute. Midfielder Lucas Melano opened the scoring for Portland, finding the back of the net in the 63rd minute. Searching for their first win at BBVA Compass Stadium, the Timbers are 3-3-3 all time against Houston, including a 2-0-1 record in their last three matches against the Dynamo.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
Houston enters Saturday’s contest unbeaten in their last two games, drawing Sporting Kansas City 3-3 on Sept. 9 before winning 1-0 on the road against Real Salt Lake on Sept. 17. At BBVA Compass Stadium, the Dynamo have produced a 4-2-7 record, with their last home win occurring July 2 in a 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Union. Andrew Wenger and Alex lead the team in goals (5).
