In their 11-year MLS history, the Portland Timbers had never won in Houston, in nine attempts, until tonight when they shut out the Houston Dynamo by a 2-0 score. Yimmi Chará had the first Timbers goal in the 15th minute, while Felipe Mora followed that up quickly in the 20th minute with a penalty kick goal. Steve Clark recorded the shutout in goal. Tonight also marked the first time the MLS Timbers have recorded two consecutive road wins both by shutout, and marks the first time the Timbers have had consecutive road shutouts of any kind since two consecutive road draws in July, 2016.
There weren’t many early chances for either team, but then in the 15th minute, Sebastián Blanco played a high, diagonal pass into the run of Felipe Mora, whose header was saved by Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson. But Nelson could not control the ball after the save and it fell loose in front of the goal, where a charging Yimmi Chará was able to get a foot on it just before the defenders, and knocked it home to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead.
Then shortly thereafter, in the 17th minute, Mora was taken down by Nelson in the Houston box when both were chasing a loose ball but Mora just barely got to the ball first. The center referee reviewed this by VAR and a penalty kick was awarded, that Mora slotted home to the left side as Nelson dove the wrong way, and the Timbers had a 2-0 lead.
In first half stoppage time, the Houston Dynamo had their first good scoring chance when Adam Lundqvist hit a low shot headed towards the far post the Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark managed to get a hand on, and the Timbers held a 2-0 lead at the break.
In the 52nd minute, Houston had another good chance when Memo Rodríguez hit a dipping free kick from 25 yards out that Clark managed to just get to as it was headed just inside the near post.
The Timbers nearly widened their lead in the 78th minute when Blanco found Mora with a chance near the penalty spot, but his shot slid just wide left. In the 81st minute, Houston nearly pulled a goal back when Sam Junqua‘s header from just a few yards out was just tipped over the bar by Clark. It would be the last good chance for either team and the Timbers got their first-ever win in Houston by a 2-0 score.
Steve Clark had six saves for the Timbers in the shutout win, while Michael Nelson had two saves for the Dynamo.
RECAP | Timbers with second straight shutout win in 2-0 result over Houston | Timbers website
HIGHLIGHTS | Yimmi Chara, Felipe Mora with goals in 2-0 win over Dynamo | Timbers website
