Timbers shine in the rain in a 3-1 victory over Houston Dynamo FC

The Portland Timbers were welcomed back home to Providence Park yesterday to take on the Houston Dynamo after a 3 point road trip to Colorado. Head Coach Phil Neville made one change to his lineup from last weekend, replacing Eric Miller on the back line with Juan Mosquera.

Houston’s availability report had 5 players benched for various injuries, most notably their starting keeper, Andrew Tarbell, out with a knee injury. There were also 2 players listed as questionable including defender Erik Sviatchenko, who was brought into the match at the half.

Felipe Mora’s goal celebration. (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Portland’s Felipe Mora was cut down from behind by Jose De Lima Junior in the 4th minute to start the Timbers’ first half off with a free kick opportunity. They were unable to capitalize on that one, but made up for it 2 minutes later.

Jimer Fory drove the ball down the left side of the pitch with a cross into the middle that was blocked by Houston. The deflection fell directly to the feet of Santiago Moreno, who passed to a wide open Mora, ready to strike! Mora sent the ball to the left of a splayed out Blake Gillingham and into the back of the net to put Portland up 1-0 in the 6th minute. This was Mora’s 41st goal in the green and gold, tying Sebastian Blanco for 3rd most goals scored in club MLS history.

The Timbers let the equalizer come just 6 minutes later after Diego Chara earned his first yellow card of the year and Houston was awarded a free kick from about 40 yards out. Escobar was waiting at the far post and made it look too easy with a right footed shot into the net. “I was disappointed with the goal that we conceded. It was not like us. Not like us at all. I think it was a lack of concentration,” said Neville in the post match presser.

Portland defender Finn Surman made two big plays in the 22nd minute. First with a clearance that prevented a goal and forced a corner kick, and then he made the block in the box to prevent Houston from scoring on the corner.

Antony after his goal over Houston. (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

With a quick turn around, the Timbers showed incredible synchronicity with a pass from Mosquera to Antony, who was making a fast break down the right side. Antony passed in to Mora at the top of the arch while sprinting to collect Mora’s return pass down field. With a cut inside, Antony rushed to the center of the goal and scored while sandwiched between Dynamo defenders and Gillingham in front.

Houston and Portland both picked up yellow cards from head referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere around the half hour mark. Daniel Steres earned Houston’s for a foul on Santi and Mora was shown the card for trying to poke the ball from behind Artur.

Mora made a great run in the 37th and sent a banger cross in for an Antony header. Gillingham came up big with the save while Antony stayed on the ground holding his face. He was seen by the medical team for a bloody nose and was able to continue playing.

Antony after taking a header. (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Finn tried for his first MLS goal in the 39th minute with a direct shot from center after a failed corner kick, but it sailed over the crossbar much to the vocal dismay of the crowd.

Fory was given his 4th yellow card of the season in the 43rd for an unnecessary foul and protesting after the call. He almost redeemed himself in the 1st of 5 minutes added in stoppage time when his shot on goal was saved by Gillingham.

Antony and Da Costa also had shots on target in stoppage time. Antony’s was saved and David’s took a deflection near the post.

Houston looked like the stronger team for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half. They had 4 missed attempts at goal and multiple corner kick opportunities. Griffin Dorsey was given a yellow card for the Dynamo in the 55th minute for taking Chara down from behind.

Felipe was looking for his brace in the 69th when his shot from the right side of the box was saved on the ground by Gillingham. A brace came soon enough but with Mora on the assist.

Mora being cut down by Gillingham. (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Mora was mowed down by Gillingham near the top of the box, tumbling Felipe to the ground. The ball rolled towards Antony, who had been matching Mora’s run on the left side. No foul was called on Gillingham, but Antony made him pay with a tough angled shot on an open goal. Timbers lead 2-1.

Phil made his first substitutions of the match in the 73rd replacing his two players on caution, Fory and Mora, with Ian Smith and Kevin Kelsy. Houston made their second substitution bringing on Urso for Lodeiro.

A second round of subs happened at the 80th with Antony taking a break for Ari Lassiter and Joao Ortiz coming on for David Ayala. Lassiter tried to contribute to the tally with a shot in the 86th that was saved.

Bravo came in for Mosquera in the 88th minute and also had a shot saved within minutes of taking the pitch. His header off a corner with service from Lassiter was collected by Gillingham in the 90+1. Kevin Kelsy tried for one last goal in the 90+4 but it was blocked by Sviatchenko.

Full time was called with Portland taking all 3 points at home with a 3-1 victory over Houston.