The Houston Dynamo had to come from behind on two occasions on Saturday to preserve their unbeaten record at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Juan David Cabezas headed home an equalizer in the 81st minute to split the points between the Dynamo and the Portland Timbers as Saturday’s match ended, 2-2. The draw helped the Dynamo gain a bit of ground on rival FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings, as they now sit two points back of the other Texas team in MLS.
Diego Valeri started the scoring in the 13th minute. The midfielder took a touch around a defender after latching onto a cross from Zarek Valentin and powered his shot into the back of the net.
Mauro Manotas capitalized on a rebound left out in the open from Jake Gleeson to level the contest at a goal apiece in the 37th minute. Manotas composed himself from close range after Gleeson tipped the ball in his direction. The Dynamo forward proceeded to finish into the bottom of the net, but the game wouldn’t be tied for long.
Five minutes after the first equalizer, Sebastian Blanco took advantage of a turnover, played a give-and-go with Valeri, and finished into the right part of the goal.
After knocking on the door for most of the second half, the Dynamo finally took a sigh of relief in the 81st minute, when Cabezas nodded home Memo Rodriguez’s free kick into the left side of the net.
The Dynamo almost found a way to complete the comeback late in the second half, but Romell Quioto barely missed the left part of the net with his chance.
The draw was the second result in a row for the Timbers on their travels, while the Dynamo moved to 8-0-2 in their home stadium.
Man of the Match
Diego Valeri played a hand in both Timbers goals, providing a goal and an assist for Caleb Porter’s men.
Moment of the Match
Cabezas’ equalizer stole a rare road victory from the Timbers, and it helped keep the Dynamo’s strong home record in tact.
Match to Forget
In his return from the Gold Cup, Erick “Cubo” Torres failed to create anything in the final third before leaving the field in the 62nd minute.