Portland Timbers 4, Houston Dynamo 2 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

The Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo traded figurative blows on Saturday at Providence Park, with the hosts emerging 4-2 victors in an entertaining affair.

Diego Valeri opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, after DaMarcus Beasley was whistled for a handball. A Diego Chara handball at the other end led to an Erick "Cubo" Torres penalty conversion. Romell Quioto then put the visitors ahead just before the break, but Valeri grabbed his second of the night to level the game, and David Guzman scored the go-ahead goal. Fanendo Adi notched the insurance goal for the Timbers in the final minutes.

Timbers, Dynamo praise counterparts after "fun game"

Goals

11' – POR – Diego Valeri (PK) Watch
38' – HOU – Erick "Cubo" Torres (PK) Watch
45+2' – HOU – Romell Quioto Watch
58' – POR – Diego Valeri Watch
66' – POR – David Guzman Watch
88' – POR – Fanendo Adi

Three Things

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS: The nightcap of MLS action on Saturday had the most goals. While the Timbers showed their class in the second half to first level it up and then pull ahead, it was a game full of good attacking play on both ends. Yes, there were some decent defensive plays, too, but this is the kind of game to show to your soccer-shy friends.
GUZMAN SETTLING IN WELL: Valeri and Adi will probably get the majority of the headlines, but Guzman played a significant part in the game. In addition to opening his MLS account with the game-winner -- a surprise, considering his scoring rate in Costa Rica -- he handled much of the dirty work for the Timbers, disrupting the Dynamo as much as he could and getting under his opponent's skin. Don't be surprised if Guzman is the latest player opponents love to hate in MLS.
NOTHING BROKEN IN DYNAMO ATTACK: The Timbers have scored 10 goals at home so far this season, but take nothing away from the Dynamo's output. Both Torres and Quioto have scored in three straight games this year. That output is probably not sustainable at the current rate, but with multiple players in fine form, the Dynamo should get results more often than not this year.