MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, Nov. 5
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Scattered showers, 50 degrees
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Apolinar Mariscal Fourth Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
NATIONAL TV: FS1
Talent: John Strong (play-by-play), Brad Friedel (analyst), Katie Witham (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 return to Providence Park this weekend when the team plays host to the Houston Dynamo in the second leg of the two-game, aggregate-goal Western Conference Semifinals in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs at Providence Park on Sunday, Nov. 5. Entering Sunday’s match, the Timbers are coming off a 0-0 away draw against the Dynamo in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals. With the clean-sheet draw, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last seven MLS Cup Playoff matches, dating back to 2015, which ranks as the third-longest streak in MLS history. The Dynamo have recorded just one win in 17 league matches played away from home in 2017, with the team’s lone road win occurring on July 22 in a 3-1 win against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (14).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing their first postseason match of the 2017 campaign, the Portland Timbers battled the Houston Dynamo to a 0-0 draw before 15,169 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Monday, Oct. 30. The Timbers will return to Portland to play host to Houston in the second leg of the two-game, aggregate-goal series at Providence Park on Sunday, Nov. 5.
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
Playing their first postseason match of the 2017 campaign, the Portland Timbers battled the Houston Dynamo to a 0-0 draw before 15,169 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium on Oct. 30.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Sunday’s game, the second postseason meeting between Portland and Houston, marks the 14th all-time contest between the two clubs since the Timbers inaugural MLS season in 2011. Going into the match, Portland is unbeaten in six of its last seven games played against Houston across all competitions since June 20, 2015. At Providence Park, Portland has produced a 4-1-1 record against the Dynamo, with the team’s lone loss taking place on Oct. 14, 2011. In the only match played between two clubs at Providence Park in 2017, the Timbers executed a comeback effort to win 4-2 on March 18, with midfielder Diego Valeri scoring a brace and midfielder David Guzmán and forward Fanendo Adi each tallying in the second half.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
Advancing into the Western Conference Semifinals after defeating Sporting Kansas City as the No. 4 seed in the Knockout Round, the Dynamo have recorded just one win in 17 league matches played away from home in 2017, with the team’s lone road win occurring on July 22 in a 3-1 win against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (14).
