(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo wrap up their two-match trip to the Pacific Northwest tonight in Portland. The Dynamo won in Seattle on Wednesday, beating the Sounders 1-0. The Timbers also played on Wednesday night, beating St. Louis CITY SC 3-2.
When: Sunday, November 1 | 8:45 PM CT kickoff
Where: Providence Park; Portland, Oregon
TV/Stream: Apple TV, FS1, Fox Deportes
History on the Road
Wednesday’s win was the first time the Dynamo had ever won in Seattle, in any competitions. They stayed in Seattle and trained the rest of the week before traveling to Portland last night. Providence Park isn’t an easy place to play either with Houston winning just three times there, and once since 2017. The Dynamo beat Portland at Shell Energy Stadium back in March when Mateusz Bogusz scored, a man down, deep into stoppage time. Now Houston will look to complete the season sweep over the Timbers and go two for two in the Pacific Northwest.
Finding the Back Four
Tonight’s match is the penultimate game of the regular season with the playoffs right around the corner. Teams want to be peaking at just the right time and the Dynamo look to be trending in a positive direction. One big question for Houston, however, is what the best four is on defense. Agustin Resch came back from injury on Wednesday and Felipe Andrade looks close to returning. Between Resch, Antonio Carlos, and Lucas Halter, who is the best pairing at center back? And with Andrade, Lawrence Ennali, and Franco Negri, how do the Dynamo line up at fullback? These are two key questions Ben Olsen and the coaching staff will be looking to solve before the playoffs begin, starting with tonight’s match.
Hanging On
The Timbers can’t be eliminated from playoff contention, no matter what happens tonight, but they are hanging on for dear life and need a win badly. Portland currently sits in 11th place, three points behind 9th place Seattle and 8th place Colorado. A win over the Dynamo would put the Timbers right in the playoff picture heading into next week’s Decision Day. A loss would leave them almost certainly out, while a draw would also be a staggering blow to their chances. Expect a desperate Timbers team tonight against the Dynamo, fighting to keep their season alive and going into the postseason.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Jimmy Maurer (back), Marcelo Saracchi (lower body); Questionable: Guilherme (lower body), Hector Herrera (lower body)
Portland Timbers – Out: Alex Bonetig (shoulder), Brandon Bye (knee), Jimer Fory (concussion), Zac McGraw (back), Juan Mosquera (foot/ankle), Trey Muse (concussion), Kamal Miller (suspension)
Predicted Lineup
