By Brandon Castro
MATCH PREVIEW:
The Houston Dynamo FC head on the road to Portland this Saturday April 24th, 2021. to face the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League contender and 2015 MLS Cup Champions the Portland Timbers.
Saturday’s match marks the 18th regular-season meeting between the Timbers and the Houston Dynamo in MLS, with Portland leading the overall series in 7-5-5. This match will be the first road trip of the season for the Dynamo who opened the 2021 regular season with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Stadium last Friday. Five players made their debut with Houston and contributed to both Houston goals; Fafa Picault, Joe Corona, Tyler Pasher, Maxi Urruti, and Tim Parker.
On the contrary, The Portland Timbers surrendered a second-half goal to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, falling 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium on April 18. to kick-off their 2021 MLS Season. And are looking to strike back with a vengeance Portland’s match on Saturday against Houston Dynamo FC marks the 11th MLS home opener in the club’s history with limited open capacity in Providence Park. Who knows what Portland has up their sleeve due to the fact that the Timbers will then host Club América in the first leg of their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal matchup on April 28th. Will we see a full force Portland Timbers ?
Ex-Portland Timber players who are a part of the 2021 Houston Dynamo FC make a return to Providence Park this Saturday. Defender Zarek Valentin made 92 regular-season appearances (82 starts) for the Timbers across four seasons (2016-2019), tallying one goal and five assists. Additionally, Valentin registered one goal and five assists in 107 appearances (96 starts) across all competitions for Portland. Forward Maximiliano Urruti tallied 15 goals and five assists in 65 regular-season games played (28 starts) in three seasons for Portland (2013-15). Urruti’s 15 regular-season goals for Portland in league play ranks eighth in Portland's club history during the MLS era.
INJURY REPORTS:
PORTLAND TIMBERS: - Steve Clark (left thigh strain)- Jeremy Ebobisse (left thigh strain)- Aljaz Ivacic (athletic pubalgia surgery)- Ismaila Jome (left Achilles tendon surgery)- Jaroslaw Niezgoda (left ACL surgery)- Sebastián Blanco (right ACL surgery)
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC:- Ethan Bartlow (concussion) - Sam Junqua (concussion)
A win for the Houston Dynamo FC would; Give Houston its first road victory of the year, Improve Houston's record against Portland to 6-7-5, Snap a three-game winless streak against the Timbers and give the Dynamo its second victory over Portland on the road.
Let’s Go Dynamo !
