Houston Dynamo Host Portland Timbers After Week Off
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo return after having last weekend off, to host the Portland Timbers tonight at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston fell 2-0 to LAFC in their last match, now two weeks ago. Portland also lost at home in their last contest, falling 4-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend.
When: Saturday, March 14 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes 102.9 FM (Spanish)
Missing Pieces
The loss to LAFC came at an even bigger price that carries into this week, two red cards. Defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Agustin Bouzat will be suspended tonight, leaving two big holes in the Dynamo starting eleven. Does Houston shift to a back four with the Brazilian center back out? Does Agustin Resch get his first MLS start to keep the team in a back three? Does Hector Herrera get a start in midfield? Could we see Diadie Samassekou’s first start for the Dynamo? There are a lot of questions that Ben Olsen and his staff have had to answer this week and we’ll see what they came up with when lineups come out tonight.
Home Again
After last weekend’s match in New England was postponed, the Dynamo have not had to leave Texas since they came back from preseason. They won’t have to leave the state until April 11 with a road trip to Frisco next weekend and a home match against the Seattle Sounders on April 4. It’s vital for the Dynamo to take advantage of this early season gift from the soccer gods to pick up points while at home. Another stroyline in this match involving being home again involves former Dynamo forward Aliyu Ibrahim returning to the team this week. The Nigerian was traded to Columbus Crew last season. Less than a year later, he is back in Houston to provide much-needed depth at the wingback positions.
Wobbly Timbers
Portland began their season with a thrilling win over Columbus but have lost their last two matches, including a big 4-1 loss at home last week to Vancouver. The Timbers have allowed a Western Conference high 8 goals this season after they gave up 4 to the Whitecaps. They can be dangerous on offense with their stable of attackers but the Dynamo will look to take advantage of a defense that has been very shaky to begin the 2026 season.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Artur (lower body), Antonio Carlos (suspension), Agustin Bouzat (suspension); Questionable: Aliyu Ibrahim (lower body)
Portland Timbers – Out: Alex Bonetig (thigh), Omir Fernandez (foot), Zac McGraw (back), Juan Mosquera (ankle), Jose Caicedo (not due to injury); Questionable: Antony (lower body), Cole Bassett (foot/ankle)
Predicted Lineup
