Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo picked up an important three points on Saturday night with a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 1-0 Portland Timbers
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistants: Ian McKay, Matthew Nelson
Fourth Official: John Matto
VAR: Kevin Stott
Attendance: 18,357
Weather: 83 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Ezequiel Ponce (Jack McGlynn) 44’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
POR: Joao Ortiz (caution; foul) 21’
HOU: Pablo Ortiz (caution; foul) 38’
HOU: Brooklyn Raines (caution; foul) 58’
HOU: Griffin Dorsey (caution; dissent) 63’
HOU: Júnior Urso (caution; foul) 70’
POR: Dario Zuparic (caution; foul) 73’
HOU: Erik Sviatchenko (caution; foul) 80’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Jonathan Bond; Pablo Ortiz, Griffin Dorsey, Erik Sviatchenko (c), Felipe Andrade; Brooklyn Raines (Diadié Samassékou 90+2’), Júnior Urso, Jack McGlynn (Femi Awodesu 90+2’); Ondřej Lingr (Amine Bassi 67’), Ezequiel Ponce, Lawrence Ennali (Duane Holmes 80’)
Unused substitutes: Sergio Santos, Jimmy Maurer, Damion Lowe, Gabriel Segal, Sebastian Kowalczyk
Total shots: 21
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 11
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 11
Saves: 3
Portland Timbers: James Pantemis; Ian Smith, Dario Zuparic, Finn Surman, Eric Miller (Ariel Lassiter 79’); David Ayala (Cristhian Paredes 69’), David Da Costa, Joao Ortiz (Matías Rojas 60’); Antony, Felipe Mora (c) (Kevin Kelsy 69’), Kristoffer Velde (Diego Chará 69’)
Unused Substitutes: Kamal Miller, Omir Fernández, Trey Muse, Gage Guerra
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 10
Offside: 3
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 6
HOUSTON DYNAMO ASSISTANT COACH JUAN GUERRA
On the result:
“It was a good performance that led to a good result, and we just have to make sure that we stay grounded. We have to make sure that we keep pushing. We will look at how the other results around the league end up, and we will focus on a very important road match next week. But tonight, we go home happy, understanding that we put together a game plan that the players followed and that they believed in. We are very happy for the players and the staff. We are going to keep pushing forward.”
On his message to the fans in the stadium:
“They are important. We felt them today, and they were in it. They play a crucial role, and everybody plays an important role here. When we play at home, they bring support and noise, being loud and staying present in the game. Every time we attack, when the stadium gets loud, the other team feels it. When we are defending and the stadium gets loud, the other team feels it as well. The more that we can do this together, we are going to be stronger, and we are going to keep moving forward. Let’s just keep pushing.”
On the performance of key players:
“As a team, it was a full collective performance. It'snot just the collective of the 11 that played and the three or four substitutions we made. It was the 20 players that dressed today and the players that did not dress. It was an uncomfortable week because we pushed the guys, and we demanded a lot from them. Ezequiel Ponce had a very good game today, and it’s always good when you have your nine scoring goals. Hopefully, he can keep scoring more goals, and in order for him to do that, we need to make sure that we collectively create more chances and put him in those situations. Jack McGlynn is an important player for us with his range of passing and being able to shoot from distance. At the end of the day, it is about the collective. As much as we can get the collective stronger, those individual players are going to be highlighted even more.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO FORWARD EZEQUIEL PONCE (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH)
On the result and his goal:
“I’m happy for the result and for the grit the team had during the game. We worked hard during the week and at the end, we got the result we deserved because from the first minute of the match, the team showed true determination to secure this win.”
On how the team was able to get the win:
“Everything here comes down to work. The one who works gets his reward and the one who does not, does not. That is why I get up every day, to be in the best condition and be ready for when it is my turn to help the team. When you score, you feel that confidence for the next game and you stay motivated to keep helping. When you do not, it is about working even harder, while looking at the details to improve. That is how I go about it. I thank God I have been scoring lately, and I hope to stay on the same path to keep helping the team.”
On his relationship with Jack McGlynn:
“We complement each other really well. Sometimes it is about looking at each other, knowing the play and taking advantage of his vision to score. That is what we try to do together every match. Once again, he set me up with the assist this match. He has been having a great season and has adapted really well to the Club. I am very happy for him. Hopefully, we can keep that going.”
