Fanendo Adi got the game winner as a late substitute in his last-ever Timbers performance, a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo at Providence Park on a muggy evening.
The Timbers did not take long to seize the lead, when in the seventh minute, with Alvas Powell making a run down the right side and deep into the Houston box, and his cross being struck with a full volley by a charging Sebastián Blanco, whose one-timer beat Joe Willis and gave the Timbers a 1-0 lead.
The lead would not last long however, when in the 12th minute, Houston’s Alberth Ellis swiped the ball from Julio Cascante deep in Timbers territory, then slotted a clean pass across the goal to Romell Quioto, who easily finished from a few feet out into an empty net to tie the match at 1-1.
In the 20th minute the Timbers nearly retook the lead when a give and go with Blanco had Dairon Asprilla in alone against Willis, but the Houston keeper did well to get a finger on the shot and keep the score level. Two minutes later Asprilla had another great chance to put the Timbers into the lead with a bicycle kick attempt after a Diego Valeri free kick, but Willis once again did well on the save.
The the 33rd minute, the visitors would have a great chance to take the lead as Quioto had an open chance on a header near the far post, but his shot was just wide left and the score would be level at the half.
Just seconds into the second half, Ellis would have a great run into the Timbers box but this shot was parried wide by Portland’s Jeff Attinella.
Before the match, it had already been announced that Fanendo Adi was leaving the Timbers after Saturday night’s game. The Timbers did not start any forwards with Samuel Armenteros out hurt. Adi would come into the match in the 75th minute to a loud and welcome greeting from the fans. And it wouldn’t take long for his presence to pay off.
In the 80th minute, Portland’s Blanco would make a very deep run down the left side to the end line, then his cross into the six yard box would bounce around off several players before falling to the foot of Adi, who one-timed the soft shot into the Houston net, and would end up being the game-winner in the 2-1 victory for the Timbers.
Jeff Attinella had one save for the Timbers, while Joe Willis recorded four for the Dynamo.
Timbers match report | Video highlights
