MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Monday, Oct. 30
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 75 degrees
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Jeff Muschik, Jason White Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Hilario Grajeda
NATIONAL TV: FS1
Talent: Glenn Davis (play-by-play), Stuart Holden (analyst), Danielle Slaton (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (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 begin their 2017 postseason run on Monday, Oct. 30, when the team travels to face the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in the first match of a two-game, aggregate-goal series against Houston in the Western Conference Semifinals. Heading into the match, the Timbers finished the 2017 regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Timbers’ 15 regular-season wins rank tied as the most in a single season in the club’s MLS era, while Portland’s point total (53) is the second-highest since the 2011 inaugural MLS season. Houston enters Monday’s game coming off a mid-week, 1-0 home win against Sporting Kansas City in extra time in the Knockout Round. Forward Alberth Elis scored the Dynamo’s lone goal in the 94th minute. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (14).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Oct. 22, securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and the 2017 Cascadia Cup, marking the club’s second Cascadia Cup trophy in its MLS era. Defender Liam Ridgewell scored his third goal of the campaign, while forward Darren Mattocks scored his fourth in 2017, finishing the game-winning goal in the 47th minute.
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
The Portland Timbers battled the Houston Dynamo to a 2-2 draw before 19,382 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 29.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Monday’s match, the first-ever playoff meeting between Portland and Houston, marks the 13th match between the two teams since 2011, and the third meeting between the Timbers and Dynamo in 2017. Heading into Monday’s fixture, the Timbers are unbeaten in five of its last six games against the Dynamo, dating back to June 20, 2015. In the only meeting between the two teams this season at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 29, both teams battled to a 2-2 draw with midfielders Diego Valeri and Sebastián Blanco each scoring in the draw. Valeri leads all Timbers with six goals against the Dynamo in the club’s MLS era, scoring three goals in two games played against Houston in 2017. At Providence Park in 2017, Portland took a 4-2 win against Houston on March 18.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
The Dynamo enter Monday’s game coming off a midweek, 1-0 home win against Sporting Kansas City in extra time in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Forward Alberth Elis scored the Dynamo’s lone goal in the 94th minute of play, helping the home side advance to the Western Conference Semi- finals. In the regular season, Houston produced the second-most home wins (12-1-4) in MLS. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (14).
