Dynamo Theory - Match Day 16: Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers
You may all go to hell and I will support the Dynamo.
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2016-06-28T13:30:02-05:00
http://www.dynamotheory.com/rss/stream/11797357
2016-06-28T13:30:02-05:00
2016-06-28T13:30:02-05:00
Film Session: Bruin breaks drought
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Analyzing Will Bruin's first half goal in Portland.</p> <p>I've said, and others have said, that <span>Mauro Manotas</span> deserves to start over Will Bruin. Manotas is younger, he provides more energy on and off the ball, and he has shown an ability to score goals in the past. Bruin has recently been going through a bit of a drought, only furthering the concerns over whether he is good enough to start.</p>
<p>With a goal on Sunday in Portland, Bruin may not have convinced us otherwise, but he did show the value of having him in the starting lineup. Let's take a look at his goal:</p>
<p><b>The play begins with </b><span>Boniek Garcia</span> receiving a simple pass from <span>DaMarcus Beasley</span>:</p>
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<p>Garcia (27) won't have many options besides a pass back to Beasley or a long ball. The Dynamo didn't appear to have any intention of attacking through the middle on this play, as you can see by the lack of midfielders helping in build-up.</p>
<p>Alex (orange arrow) is up front with Bruin. With Portland right back <span>Alvas Powell</span> a step or two ahead of the backline, there is room in the right channel for him to run. Boniek will have the option of putting a ball into the corner for the Brazilian to run on to.</p>
<p>The yellow line connects the central midfield partnership of <span>Diego Chara</span> and <span>Ben Zemanski</span>.</p>
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<p>Garcia takes a quick look at the run from Alex, but forgoes the possible pass and decides instead to flip the ball back to Beasley, who has a better set of options than Boniek did.</p>
<p>Alex (blue arrow) is tracking back into central midfield, drawing the attention of Zemanski (yellow arrow); if the Ohioan midfielder decides to follow Alex, it could leave that part of the field wide open. Also, <span>Ricardo Clark</span> (circled in red) is showing himself, and Boniek (in orange, bottom of the screen) is still available should Beasley decide to overlap.</p>
<p>As you'll see, Beasley goes back to basics:</p>
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<p>Boniek is back on the ball yet again. Beasley starts running forward, like he does so often, and it appears that Zemanski is gesturing to Powell as if to say, "watch the overlap." It could be something completely different, but that's my best guess.</p>
<p>Alex is there as another option, although I don't think Garcia has any intention of passing to him. The Honduran (again in orange) appears to have more ambitious options. Bruin (light blue arrow) is making a run centrally, and Boniek appears to have his eye on that.</p>
<p>Bruin is very good at splitting the center backs, and that is exactly what he doing here. <span>Nat Borchers</span> (left) and <span>Liam Ridgewell</span> have to hold the defensive line, but also have to get goal-side of Bruin, so it is hard to track runs like these. With the space in front of them so open — defensive midfielder Diego Chara (yellow) is pushed further up the field — the veteran center back pairing are all alone here. This is good recognition by Bruin.</p>
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<p>The long ball is sent in Boniek. It's may not be the highest quality ball, but it most certainly does the job. It's going to bounce just over the heads of the defenders, allowing Bruin to get in between them and find the ball.</p>
<p>Beating Bruin to a ball in the box is not an easy thing to do.</p>
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<p>Ridgewell looked like he was in a good position to deal with it once it bounced, but he misjudged it and allowed Bruin to break through and toe-poke it past a helpless Jake Gleeson. This can be considered a slight mistake by Ridgewell, but this is more about Bruin's ability to cause havoc in the box.</p>
<p>That goal is Bruin's case for why he should be starting over Manotas. He is very good at winning balls in and around the box and dragging defenders around, opening up space for other players. He is usually a good finisher and he can always score the scrappy goals every team needs. He can be relied on to score 10-12 goals a season, many of them like the one above.</p>
<p>He's not the best passer, or the most athletic, or the most dominant in the air. He is who he is, and that can be valuable.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/28/12050866/dynamo-film-session-bruin-breaks-scoring-drought-in-portland
Harrison Hamm
2016-06-28T09:30:03-05:00
2016-06-28T09:30:03-05:00
Three things from the Dynamo's loss in Portland
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dynamo blew it in Portland, but they continued to play well under Wade Barrett.</p> <p>Before we get into the Dynamo game, we have to quickly address the Messi situation. Lionel Messi, the best player in the history of the beautiful game, retired from international play after Argentina lost their third straight major final. Some have said he will likely overturn the decision, having done it in haste, but I am genuinely concerned that this a permanent retirement because Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, and Lucas Biglia have been <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2016/6/27/12038594/argentina-stars-retire-messi-higuain-mascherano-di-maria-copa-america-final-loss">rumored</a> to be retiring as well.</p>
<p>The Argentina FA is currently a tire fire, and it looks like their team is going to be as well. It really is unfortunate, because we are going to be robbed of seeing these incredible players on the biggest stage in the world. Messi and his team deserve to win something, and I hope they will get the opportunity to do that in the future.</p>
<p>Idiot American sports talk people (like Colin Cowherd, Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, Mike & Mike, and so many others) will say Messi's "legacy is tarnished" because he didn't win a major international tournament. That statement is utterly and completely false, and to think that a player with the extreme talent and skill like Messi — who, by the way, has won a ridiculous amount of hardware at Barcelona, if that matters to you — can be devalued like that by talking heads that people actually listen to (unfortunately) is really, really pitiful.</p>
<p>Mike Greenberg said this on his morning radio show:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"The overwhelming diva quality of the soccer star so dwarfs that of the American superstar, it is pathetic."<br><br>- Greeny on Messi and Ronaldo</p>
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAndMike/status/747377786705215488">June 27, 2016</a>
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<p>The complete unintelligence and overwhelming diva quality of Mike Greenberg are at an all-time high.</p>
<p>Also, this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This coming from a network who followed Brett Favre on planes and aired a one hour special for Lebron to pick a team <a href="https://t.co/PtwqXHW4eK">https://t.co/PtwqXHW4eK</a></p>
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/TotalMLS/status/747396838974595073">June 27, 2016</a>
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<p> </p>
<p>Total MLS sums it up perfectly.</p>
<p>Anyway, there is no debate that Lionel Messi is the best player the world has ever seen, and will certainly be missed on the international level. I don't care that he got unlucky a couple times. It's a team game.</p>
<p>Also, can we invite Messi and Argentina to the 2017 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/concacaf-gold-cup" class="sbn-auto-link">Gold Cup</a> so they can win a major trophy? They need it.</p>
<p>Alright, back to what I'm supposed to be talking about:</p>
<h4>1. Keep it up</h4>
<p>A 2-0 win in Portland is an amazing result. A 2-1 win in Portland is just as good. A 2-2 draw is a solid result. A 2-2 draw after giving up a two-goal lead is still a solid result, but could have been better. A 3-2 loss in Portland is disappointing. A 3-2 loss in Portland after losing a two-goal lead is absolutely disastrous, especially for a team in desperate need of points.</p>
<p>That final one is what the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> did at Providence Park on Sunday.</p>
<p>The Dynamo played really, really good soccer in the first half. They finished their chances, they passed well, they were organized, they clogged the midfield, they played good defense. It's hard to find too many weaknesses for the Dynamo in the first half. They went into the locker room with a solid 2-0 lead that didn't have any appearance of faltering. It was essentially the opposite of Owen Coyle's tenure.</p>
<p>But, in the second half, they went into disaster-prevention mode. They sat deep in their own half and allowed Portland to attack them instead of keeping with the game they played in the first half, thus inviting the Timbers to set up shop in front of Joe Willis's goal. When the Dynamo got pinned deep in their own half, their attack slowly sputtered out, as did their possession and chance-creation in midfield. The addition of <span>Cristian Maidana</span> helped a little, but not enough.</p>
<p>Portland found more room around the box as the game progressed — thus giving <span>Diego Valeri</span> ample time and space to hit those deadly through-balls he is so good at hitting — and they put countless numbers into the box in the 4-4-2 they switched to later in the game. That much pressure usually results in something, and it did for the Timbers, as they earned two penalty kicks — correct or not — and won 3-2.</p>
<p>If the Dynamo had kept up what they had done in the first half, it could have been different. They attacked down the left and were effective with the ball in midfield:</p>
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<p>That's their first half passing map. Their second half map should have been just as dynamic and direct.</p>
<p>For a team that is still adjusting to a new coach and to a new system, this really isn't too bad of a performance. The result was disastrous.</p>
<p>Game management and late-game tactics will come as the season progresses. For now, keep up the organization and the cohesiveness.</p>
<h4>2. The answer</h4>
<p>The month of June would be very telling for the Dynamo, and not just because of the new coach and everything. It would reveal whether <span>Collen Warner</span> is the long-term solution in defensive midfield, and whether they would need to make a move once the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors" class="sbn-auto-link">transfer window</a> rolls around in early July. They've found their answer: Warner is here to stay.</p>
<p>The former <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> man — acquired just before the start of the season, although he was injured for a good part of the first few weeks — was given the role of primary defensive midfielder, and he has run away with it. Warner hasn't always been perfect, but he's been positioned very well (no disconnect between the midfield and the defense), he is an effective ball winner (even though he commits a lot of fouls), and he has proven to be very good at preventing top chance-creators from doing their damage in midfield; Valeri was shut down until <span>Caleb Porter</span> pushed him out to the right in the second half, away from Warner.</p>
<p>The one thing he hasn't excelled at is distribution. That finally came in Portland:</p>
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<p>Warner missed a total of three passes out of 39. That is Darlington Nagbe-esque right there.</p>
<p>He may not be on the level of, say, <span>Diego Chara</span> or Ozzie Alonso or even <span>Wil Trapp</span> yet, but he's on the right track. He is improving game-by-game, and that's all the Dynamo can ask. for.</p>
<h4>3. Improvement</h4>
<p>I've said multiple times that the Dynamo have been much better under Wade Barrett than they were under Owen Coyle. They've been more organized, disciplined, and it appears that every player knows the system and knows his role in that system. Continuity is key, and over his first couple games as interim head coach, Barrett has established it.</p>
<p>Those good qualities I listed above apply to the Dynamo in the Portland game, even if they dropped points. They continued to look and play much better, and that's a credit to Barrett.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/28/12039788/three-things-from-the-dynamos-loss-to-portland
Harrison Hamm
2016-06-27T14:00:03-05:00
2016-06-27T14:00:03-05:00
Andrew Wenger up for Goal of the Week
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Wenger up for Goal of the Week</p> <p>Dynamo midfielder <span>Andrew Wenger</span> is up for Goal of the Week for his first half goal against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a>. In the first round of head to head competition Wenger is up against <span>Dom Dwyer</span>.</p>
<p>Instead of regular poll style voting the nominees will be paired up and face off each day. The quarterfinal winners will advance to the semis, and the two semifinal winners will face off in a final. Voting runs all week long with the winner announced on Friday. The voting breaks down as follows:</p>
<p>Monday: Voting for quarterfinals begins</p>
<p>Tuesday, 11:55 pm ET: Voting for quarterfinals ends, semifinal vote begins</p>
<p>Wednesday, 11:55 pm ET: Voting for semifinals ends, final vote begins</p>
<p>Thursday, 11:55 pm ET: Voting for final ends</p>
<p>Friday: Winner announced</p>
<p>You can get your vote on <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/06/26/att-mls-goal-week-week-16-voting">here</a>.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/27/12043688/andrew-wenger-up-for-goal-of-the-week
Alicia Tolar
2016-06-27T11:15:02-05:00
2016-06-27T11:15:02-05:00
Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers: Lowlights
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/27/12041070/houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-lowlights
Alicia Tolar
2016-06-26T19:13:51-05:00
2016-06-26T19:13:51-05:00
Dynamo blow two goal lead, fall to Timbers
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>From cheers to jeers, Dynamo blow two goal lead to fall to the Portland Timbers. . </p> <p id="MtcCwQ">The <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> played a great first half that gave way to a questionable second half where they managed to blow a two goal lead.</p>
<p id="vd1mlW">Both sides had several chances in the first half. Former Dynamo, <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> had several opportunities in front of the net including a great chances in the fifteenth minute when <span>Tyler Deric</span> came out to clear the ball. Taylor had a shot at an empty net but his shot went wide.</p>
<p id="S1XN2M"><span>David Horst</span> 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.</p>
<p id="hzzlxC">It would be <span>Andrew Wenger</span> 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.</p>
<p id="74YDxD"><span>Will Bruin</span> 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.</p>
<p id="oG7kdk">As the second half got underway it was announced that <span>Joe Willis</span> would be going in for Tyler Deric. It was later announced that Deric left the game due to dehydration.</p>
<p id="mIMGtE">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.</p>
<p id="cEYDXY">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.</p>
<p id="ZU30eq">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.</p>
<p id="BSFIOH">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.</p>
<p id="ZafbC1">The Timbers put together 18 shots to Houston’s 15 though the two were almost dead even for possession.</p>
<p id="n5V3G0">The Dynamo have a quick turnaround as they play <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> on Wednesday night in Open Cup action. Then on Saturday they are back in MLS action to play the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a>.</p>
<h3 id="ThvINP">Lineups</h3>
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<p lang="cy" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/GEICO">@GEICO</a> Starting XI: Deric; Anibaba, Horst, Rodríguez, Beasley ©; Wenger, Clark, Warner, Alex, García; Bruin <a href="https://t.co/chiWDQQDqk">pic.twitter.com/chiWDQQDqk</a></p>
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo/status/747172527663833088">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Timbers XI and subs for today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvHOU?src=hash">#PORvHOU</a> match! Watch it on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPN2?src=hash">#ESPN2</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bks30oQ3Dq">pic.twitter.com/Bks30oQ3Dq</a></p>
— <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a> (@TimbersFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/747173006804410372">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">46' Halftime substitution: Joe Willis replaces Tyler Deric in goal. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvHOU?src=hash">#PORvHOU</a></p>
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo/status/747206124344999936">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">66' - Timbers sub in <span>Zarek Valentin</span> for Alvas Powell. Portland trails Houston 2-1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash">#RCTID</a></p>
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/747211113784184832">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">70' - Timbers sub in <span>Jack McInerney</span> for Darren Mattocks. Portland trailing Houston 2-1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash">#RCTID</a></p>
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/747212303376912384">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">75' SUB: Chaco Maidana comes on for Andrew Wenger. 2-1 Dynamo. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvHOU?src=hash">#PORvHOU</a></p>
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo/status/747213592986943492">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">84' SUB: <span>Mauro Manotas</span> on for Will Bruin to try to get the winner. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvHOU?src=hash">#PORvHOU</a></p>
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo/status/747215685495906305">June 26, 2016</a>
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<div id="mryXN2">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">90+3' - <span>Jack Jewsbury</span> in for Diego Valeri. Valeri, with two goals and an assist, gets huge ovation from crowd. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash">#RCTID</a></p>
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/747217966391926784">June 27, 2016</a>
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https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/26/12034314/houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-final-score-dynamo-blow-two-goal-lead-fall-to-timbers
Alicia Tolar
2016-06-26T15:00:03-05:00
2016-06-26T15:00:03-05:00
Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers: How to watch, lineups and more
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<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers: How to watch, lineups and more</p> <h3 id="pnwhyu">Who</h3>
<p id="7K3aWt"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> vs <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a></p>
<h3 id="XQM0ok">What</h3>
<p id="iJPmIB">Houston are in Portland to take on the defending champs. While the team has improved since Wade Barrett took over the Dynamo are still struggling to get a full three points. You can check out the full preview <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/25/12031340/houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-preview-dynamos-face-defending-mls">here</a>.</p>
<h3 id="Gs2Kno">Where</h3>
<p id="C3F7zH">Providence Park in Portland, Oregon</p>
<h3 id="FVUaLT">When</h3>
<p id="NfRXPd">Sunday, June 26 at 5 pm CT</p>
<h3 id="3ypgE9">How to watch</h3>
<p id="ZXAQBQ">ESPN2</p>
<p id="Qrqqch">CBS Sports Radio 650 AM KIKK</p>
<p id="uFHy3B"><a href="http://radio.com/">Radio.com</a> app</p>
<p id="7TqnLR">Univision Radio 1010 AM KLAT</p>
<h3 id="I1j0xk">Fan Lineup</h3>
<p id="yMXO2W">Mixed is almost an understatement for the fan choice of lineup for the game. The 4-4-2 had a single vote edge over the 4-1-4-1. <span>Tyler Deric</span> was the unanimous favorite to start in goal.</p>
<p id=":0.cc"><span>DaMarcus Beasley</span> (LB) 95.2%</p>
<p id="toAEao"><span>David Horst</span> (CB) 85.7%</p>
<p id="UvuZDB"><span>Raul Rodriguez</span> (CB) 90.5%</p>
<p id="WgLNUr"><span>Sheanon Williams</span> (RB) 47.6%</p>
<p id="SbZMTd"><span>Ricardo Clark</span> (CDM/CM) 95.2%</p>
<p id="uQD22e">Oscar Boniek Garcia (RB/CAM/LM/RM) 76.2%</p>
<p id="NzDy2M"><span>Cristian Maidana</span> (CAM/LM) 81%</p>
<p id="CnVIZ8"><span>Giles Barnes</span> (FW/LW/RW) 81%</p>
<p id="JsqfxF"><span>Will Bruin</span> (FW) 66.7%</p>
<p id="tRRWg4"><span>Andrew Wenger</span> (FW/LW/RW) 57.1%</p>
<h3 id="JeXPLq">Lineup</h3>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="cy">.<a href="https://twitter.com/GEICO">@GEICO</a> Starting XI: Deric; Anibaba, Horst, Rodríguez, Beasley ©; Wenger, Clark, Warner, Alex, García; Bruin <a href="https://t.co/chiWDQQDqk">pic.twitter.com/chiWDQQDqk</a></p>
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonDynamo/status/747172527663833088">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Timbers XI and subs for today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvHOU?src=hash">#PORvHOU</a> match! Watch it on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPN2?src=hash">#ESPN2</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bks30oQ3Dq">pic.twitter.com/Bks30oQ3Dq</a></p>— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/747173006804410372">June 26, 2016</a>
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https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/26/12021060/houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-how-to-watch-lineups-and-more
Alicia Tolar
2016-06-26T10:30:02-05:00
2016-06-26T10:30:02-05:00
Three keys for the Dynamo against Portland
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>What the Dynamo have to do in order to beat the defending MLS Cup champions.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> will certainly get plenty of attention for Sunday's clash with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a>. The game takes place two hours before the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/copa-america">Copa America</a> final, so the ESPN audience will gain some pre-Copa viewers. A win would be great for the Dynamo, but that's never an easy thing to do against the Timbers.</p>
<p>Here's what they have to do to pick up the full three points:</p>
<h4>1. Clog the midfield</h4>
<p>MLS's best chance-creator, <span>Diego Valeri</span>, and arguably the league's best No. 9, <span>Fanendo Adi</span>, play on the same team. That's a scary thought for the rest of MLS, and it's one of the main reasons why the Timbers won their first trophy last season. Valeri floats around midfield picking out passes to wingers like <span>Lucas Melano</span> and <span>Dairon Asprilla</span>, while Adi muscles off defenders, holds up play and wins headers in the box. It's a deadly combination of skill and strength.</p>
<p>The Dynamo have to find a way to neutralize it. To do that, they'll have to put numbers in the midfield and try to deny space to Adi and Valeri. Force the Timbers to push the ball to the wings, and have Melano or <span>Ned Grabavoy</span> providing service instead of Valeri. Man-mark Adi, win second balls, and deny service to the Nigerian forward. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> lost 1-0 in Portland on June 1st, but they provide a blueprint on how to stop the Timbers' talented attack.</p>
<p>Allowing just one shot on target (Portland's goal, which came off a set piece), the Quakes completely cut off service to Adi and created this passing chart:</p>
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<p>Adi was able to do next to nothing around the box, and that's a credit to the Earthquakes defense. They surrounded him and, especially, Valeri in midfield, and the result was a solid defensive showing. If they had been able to put a goal on the board (and they had plenty of chances after Asprilla's first half red card), it would have been even better.</p>
<p>Valeri has the most key passes (passes leading to a shot) per game in MLS this season, as well as the third most total assists and third most total shots. He is a very, very dangerous player, and one who hits <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-04-10-la-galaxy-vs-portland-timbers/details/video/61920">passes like this</a> all the time.</p>
<p>Being able to prevent him from providing service to Adi is key. They can do that by clogging the midfield, keeping players central and defending tightly and compactly. Sometimes, that strategy can actually lead to chances, as we saw <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> do in their 2-2 draw with Portland last weekend.</p>
<p>RSL were often able to get the ball behind defensive midfielder <span>Diego Chara</span> and come up with some creative interplay in Zone 14. Putting numbers in the midfield can pay off against the Timbers, offensively and defensively.</p>
<h4>2. Set piece defense</h4>
<p>At first glance, it would appear that the Timbers aren't all that dangerous on set pieces. They only have five goals from them, good for eighth in the league, and are the worst team in MLS at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/233/Tournaments/85/Seasons/6137/Stages/13276/TeamStatistics/USA-Major-League-Soccer-2016">winning aerial duels</a>, per WhoScored. Portland aren't exactly famous for them (unlike the Red Bulls, who have scored on 12 set pieces this season, accounting for almost half their goals this season), but they are dangerous enough for the Dynamo to be wary of them.</p>
<p>Center back <span>Liam Ridgewell</span> — who, at 6'2", is one of their most dangerous targets on restarts — was sidelined for an extended period of time at the beginning of the season, hampering their set piece effectiveness. It was Ridgewell, who returned from a hamstring injury in early May, who scored on a header against San Jose:</p>
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<p>The main reason, however, that they are a serious threat on set pieces is not just the big guns like Ridgewell and Adi. The Timbers are very good at finding second balls and either finishing them first time or recycling them back out for another cross, often hitting the defense while they are disorganized. Diego Chara sits at the top of the box and gathers in rebounds, while players like <span>Nat Borchers</span> and Melano poach loose balls around the box.</p>
<p>The Dynamo have to be ready, and have to be prepared to defend multiple waves of attacks. If they get disorganized or forget to mark a man, they will be punished.</p>
<h4>3. Capitalize on mistakes</h4>
<p>There were multiple moments in the Timbers' last two games where they turned the ball over in the back and almost got punished for it. Their constantly changing backline (right back <span>Alvas Powell</span> has been injured for weeks, and they have yet to find a left back) is vulnerable to costly mistakes, so the Dynamo should take advantage of that.</p>
<p>To do that, <span>Mauro Manotas</span> (yes, Manotas) and co. have to consistently keep up the pressure and pin the Timbers in their end. If they do force a mistake (an errant pass, too much dribbling, etc.), they need to capitalize on it. Finish chances, and they just might be able to beat this Timbers side.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/26/12017176/three-keys-for-the-dynamo-against-the-portland-timbers
Harrison Hamm
2016-06-26T09:30:03-05:00
2016-06-26T09:30:03-05:00
Dynamo vs. Timbers with Stumptown Footy
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<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We spoke with Will Conwell to talk about the reigning MLS Cup champs. </p> <p><span>Wade Barrett will be looking to get his first MLS win since being appointed the interim head coach. He's recorded 3 points in 3 games and while a "3 game unbeaten streak" has a nice ring to it, the fact that the team hasn't earned a win in that time is disheartening. Barrett and the Dynamo will go into hostile territory playing the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.<br><br></span><span>In our <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/25/12031340/houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-preview-dynamos-face-defending-mls">preview of the match</a> we discussed the personnel of the Timbers, but we wanted to know more about the reigning champs so we spoke with Will Conwell of Stumptown Footy to get a handle on the early struggles and home successes his team has had this season.</span></p>
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<p><b>Dynamo Theory: </b>As the reigning MLS Cup champions, the fan base has to be a little upset about the 8<sup>th</sup> place Timbers despite being just a few points out from 4<sup>th</sup> place, What are the general sentiments about how the squad is performing, and are those sentiments close to pre-season expectations?</p>
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<p><b>Stumptown Footy: </b>Early in the season the phrase "won cup, don't care" was bandied about as the Timbers struggled through a series of injuries and generally did not show the form that most fans were hoping for from the defending champs. Now, removed from the halfway point of the season by only today's match, that refrain is ringing a little hollow.</p>
<p>For the most part, folks agree that the Timbers are a talented and deep team, particularly in the attack. However, the Timbers have not had much luck on the defensive end, a facet of the club that most assumed would be a strength coming into this season. That, combined with some agitating for a transfer from star striker Fanendo Adi, has people doing some significant worrying right now.</p>
<p>Still, the Timbers are on an upward trajectory, having just managed to grab their first shutout of the season and riding a five game unbeaten streak against MLS competition. If the Timbers can continue picking up points at their current pace, the season could turn around quickly.</p>
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<p><b>Dynamo Theory: </b>The Portland Timbers have an impressive home record this season and are currently sitting on a 3 game winning streak at Providence Park. What has made the Timbers so difficult to match up against at home and why have the Timbers struggled so much away from home?</p>
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<p><b>Stumptown Footy: </b>This is, of course, the case for almost every team in MLS: home field advantage is a huge factor. For teams like Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids there is one clear thing that can be pointed to that supercharges their home field advantage: altitude. For a team like the Timbers, what it is that makes home field advantage so strong can be hard to pin down. Is it the rabid fans seated (although never actually seated) in the North End? Is it the chainsaw revving "mascot", Timber Joey? Is it that fresh Cascadian air?</p>
<p>Most likely it is all of the above, but there is another possibility as well: compared to the rest of the league, the Timbers are not <i>that</i> great at home. Five other teams in the Western Conference have fewer home losses than the Timbers. League-wide, that number jumps to twelve of MLS's other nineteen teams.</p>
<p>So, what makes the Timbers so good at home? It's hard to say, but they could use a little bit more of it if they want to be back among the league's elite by the end of the season.</p>
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<p><b>Dynamo Theory: </b>In Houston, Jermaine Taylor often divided many fans. He was extremely talented, often likened to another former Dynamo Bobby Boswell in regard to his toughness and strength, but his decision making and lack of speed led to poor challenges or soft goals. How has Taylor fit in with the Timbers and how has he been received by the fans?<b> </b></p>
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<p><b>Stumptown Footy: </b>Taylor's time in Portland has been something of a mixed bag. While he is certainly regarded as a talented and physically impressive player, the Timbers are coming off a year when they sported a defense that was arguably one of the league's best. With losses from that lineup and injuries plaguing the team in 2016, however, Taylor has been asked to fill a number of roles and he has yet to excel in any of them.</p>
<p>A strong placeholder more than anything else, Taylor has not made any position his own, despite the Timbers' glaring hole at left back and some suspect performances from the center back duo of Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers. His struggles can be at least partially put on the constant roster churn along the back line this season, but the fact remains that with just a few less goals allowed, the Timbers would be right in the thick of things, rather than on the outside looking in.</p>
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<p><b>Projected Lineup: </b>Gleeson; Taylor, Ridgewell, Borchers, Valentin; Chara, Zemanski; Melano, Valeri, Asprilla; Adi</p>
<p>For my answers to Will's questions, check them out at <a href="http://www.stumptownfooty.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Stumptown Footy</a>!</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2016/6/26/12032036/three-questions-about-houston-dynamo-vs-portland-timbers-with
Gribbs