Major League Soccer Regular Season - 4
Houston Dynamo 3 - 2 FT Portland Timbers
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Kamal Miller 24'
Finn Surman 45'
G. Guerra 45'
45'+1 Ezequiel Ponce
Ariel Lassiter 45'+5
HT
46' ↓ E. Ponce ↑H. Herrera
Jímer Fory 58'
62' Guilherme (M. Bogusz)
↓ D. Da Costa ↑J. Ortiz 63'
69' ↓ D. Samassekou ↑O. Lingr
70' ↓ Lucas Halter ↑A. Resch
↓ A. Lassiter ↑F. Mora 71'
↓ A. Aravena ↑I. Smith 71'
77' Felipe Andrade (Guilherme)
K. Velde (F. Surman) 80'
81' ↓ D. Holmes ↑N. Markanich
Felipe Mora 85'
90' M. Bogusz (J. McGlynn)
90'+3 Nick Markanich
90'+8 ↓ L. Ennali ↑I. Aliyu
↓ G. Guerra ↑K. Kelsy 90'+10
90'+13 Guilherme
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Houston Dynamo
Goalkeepers
J. Bond 
PENALTY HERO
1
Pens Saved
1
Pens Saved
6
Saves
8.3
Rating
Defenders
E. Sviatchenko 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
Lucas Halter 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Felipe Andrade 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Midfielders
D. Holmes 
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
J. McGlynn
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
74%
Pass Acc
D. Samassekou 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.2
Rating
L. Ennali 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
26%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
BENCH
J. Maurer 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
F. Negri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Resch
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Herrera
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
O. Lingr
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Arana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Markanich
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.2
Rating
I. Aliyu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Portland Timbers
Goalkeepers
J. Pantemis 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Midfielders
A. Aravena
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
D. Chara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Da Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
Forwards
A. Lassiter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
G. Guerra 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
K. Velde
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
BENCH
T. Muse
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
E. Miller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Jura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Smith
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Ortiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Mora
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Kelsy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/21/2025 | Houston Dynamo | 1 - 0 | Portland Timbers | Major League Soccer | Shell Energy Stadium |
| 03/30/2025 | Portland Timbers | 3 - 1 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | Providence Park |
| 06/02/2024 | Portland Timbers | 2 - 2 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | Providence Park |
| 03/17/2024 | Houston Dynamo | 1 - 0 | Portland Timbers | Major League Soccer | Shell Energy Stadium |
| 10/22/2023 | Portland Timbers | 1 - 3 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | Providence Park |
| 08/21/2023 | Houston Dynamo | 5 - 0 | Portland Timbers | Major League Soccer | Shell Energy Stadium |
| 06/30/2022 | Portland Timbers | 2 - 1 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | Providence Park |
| 04/16/2022 | Houston Dynamo | 0 - 0 | Portland Timbers | Major League Soccer | PNC Stadium |
| 09/04/2021 | Houston Dynamo | 0 - 2 | Portland Timbers | Major League Soccer | BBVA Stadium |
09/21/2025
03/30/2025
06/02/2024
03/17/2024
10/22/2023
08/21/2023
06/30/2022
04/16/2022
09/04/2021
Houston Dynamo Win
Portland Timbers Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +10
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -6
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 11 GD: +19
P: 10 GD: +20
P: 11 GD: +11
P: 9 GD: +8
P: 11 GD: -2
P: 10 GD: +5
P: 11 GD: +5
P: 10 GD: -5
P: 11 GD: +3
P: 11 GD: -1
P: 11 GD: 0
P: 10 GD: -8
P: 10 GD: -5
P: 9 GD: -7
P: 10 GD: -18
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Bogusz Breaks Timbers' Hearts in Five-Goal Shell Energy Thriller
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 100/100. A wild back-and-forth shootout gives Houston the slimmest of advantages heading into their decisive second leg.
First-Half Firepower
The opening exchanges at Shell Energy Stadium established a frantic tempo. The Portland Timbers edged possession with 52 percent of the ball, forcing the issue early. A barrage of attempts turned the field into a shooting gallery, as a combined 36 shots flew over the course of the match. The Intensity spiked violently right before the halftime whistle. VAR intervened to confirm a controversial penalty for F. Surman. Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Jonathan Bond produced a massive penalty save to temporarily keep the visitors at bay, but the resulting scramble allowed G. Guerra to bundle home the opener at the 45-minute mark. Bond’s heroic six saves on the night kept Houston breathing, setting the stage for a spectacular second-half response.
The Brazilian Spark
Trailing at the break, the hosts needed a catalyst, and Guilherme answered the call. The Brazilian forward completely altered the game’s trajectory in the 62nd minute, finishing a slick pass from M. Bogusz to pull Houston level. The Balance of power shifted instantly. Fifteen minutes later, Guilherme turned provider, setting up Felipe Andrade to fire the Dynamo into a 2-1 lead. It looked like Houston had finally solved the tactical puzzle, but Portland's resilience shone through. Refusing to roll over, the Timbers immediately struck back in the 80th minute when K. Velde linked up with Surman to lock the scoreline at 2-2. The rapid-fire exchange of goals showcased the offensive firepower of both squads, leaving the home crowd entirely breathless.
Stoppage-Time Mayhem
With the Stakes astronomical in this first-leg knockout clash, both teams pushed desperately for a late winner. The deadlock finally broke in the 90th minute when Bogusz found a sliver of space, burying a feed from J. McGlynn to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory. However, the celebrations were immediately tempered by indiscipline. Deep into stoppage time, Nick Markanich committed a reckless foul, earning a straight red card that reduces Houston's tactical options moving forward. The Dynamo secured the crucial home win, but the tie remains fiercely contested. The resulting fallout means they must defend this fragile one-goal aggregate lead without Markanich when they travel to Oregon for the decisive return leg on November 2.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Nick Markanich impact the match?
His 93rd-minute dismissal forces Houston to completely rethink their tactical setup, losing a vital player for the critical return leg.
What made Guilherme the Man of the Match?
Registering a crucial goal and a pristine assist, Guilherme was the dynamic offensive engine that repeatedly fractured Portland's defensive lines.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
A relentless tempo, 36 combined shots, and end-to-end transitions created a wildly open contest where both attacks mercilessly punished defensive gaps.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Defensive Cracks Set the Stage in Texas
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 42/100. With both backlines generously surrendering chances, this high-scoring early-season fixture guarantees action before the reverse leg even begins.
The Setup
It is only March 15, 2026, but the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers are treating this encounter like a sudden-death shootout. This regular season clash doubles as the first of a two-leg tie, with the return match slated for November 2 in Oregon. A Balance rating leaning heavily toward the hosts makes sense, given Houston's commanding home advantage. Portland arrives at Shell Energy Stadium desperate to fix a disastrous defensive record, having already shipped 12 goals in just five matches. The Stakes might feel modest this early in the calendar, but neither manager can afford to let their Form slide any further into the red. With an expected combined goals average over four per match, the attacking Stars on the pitch will have acres of space to exploit.
Key Battle
Houston's high-pressing midfield against Portland's fragile backline will decide this match. The Timbers have looked completely disorganized in transition all month. If the home side dictates the tempo and forces turnovers in dangerous areas, Portland's defensive unit will simply collapse. Expect James Pantemis—already averaging over four saves a game—to face an absolute barrage of shots.
Our Prediction
Houston Dynamo takes a commanding first-leg lead. We expect a 3-1 home victory. Portland might grab a consolation goal on the counter-attack, but Houston's relentless offensive waves will overwhelm a visiting defense that cannot plug its glaring gaps.