Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers Final Score: Dynamo blow two goal lead, fall to Timbers

The Houston Dynamo played a great first half that gave way to a questionable second half where they managed to blow a two goal lead.

Both sides had several chances in the first half. Former Dynamo, Jermaine Taylor had several opportunities in front of the net including a great chances in the fifteenth minute when Tyler Deric came out to clear the ball. Taylor had a shot at an empty net but his shot went wide.

David Horst nearly put the Dynamo up first in the 23rd minute after his header went over Jake Gleeson, but the ball was headed off the line by Alvas Powell. The ball was headed back to goal by the Dynamo but this time Gleeson was able to get up and grab the ball.

It would be Andrew Wenger who would score first for the Dynamo. Wenger went head to head with Taylor and won as he got around him and easily finished his shot into the net.

Will Bruin made it 2-0 just minutes later. The Dynamo played the ball over the top and Bruin was able to run in and give the ball the poke it needed to head into goal.

As the second half got underway it was announced that Joe Willis would be going in for Tyler Deric. It was later announced that Deric left the game due to dehydration.

Willis would stop Darren Mattocks in the 55th minute after Mattocks got around two Dynamo players. Willis was able to get down and make the save. Unfortunately, Lucas Melano would score on Willis in the 64th minute. Deigo Valeri sent a through ball to Melano who hit the ball right through Willis’ legs and into goal. The Dynamo defense was glaringly absence on the play.

That wouldn’t be the last time that the Timbers would test Willis. As the second half wore on the Dynamo struggled to prevent chances by the Timbers. Willis saved a header from Fanendo Adi and followed it up with a save against Valeri in the 78th minute.

In the 81st minute David Horst would be called for a handball giving the Timbers the chance at a penalty kick. Valeri took the PK and sent it into the upper corner of the net leaving Willis no chance at stopping it.

The Timbers would be awarded a seconds penalty minutes later. In spite of getting to the ball, Willis was called for a penalty against Melano after the two collided. Valeri once again make it easily into the back of the net taking a 3-2 lead. And with the final whistle the Timbers would come back to beat Houston after being down two goals at the half.

The Timbers put together 18 shots to Houston’s 15 though the two were almost dead even for possession.

The Dynamo have a quick turnaround as they play Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night in Open Cup action. Then on Saturday they are back in MLS action to play the Philadelphia Union.

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