Ten-Man Timbers Down Houston Dynamo FC 2-1 at Providence Park

June 30, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – In their second match in five days, a 10-man Portland Timbers side earned a consecutive victory at Providence Park with their 2-1 win against Houston Dynamo FC on Wednesday night. Santiago Moreno provided his first career brace to secure the win for Portland with assists from Yimmi Chara and Sebastián Blanco. Notably, the Timbers are unbeaten in three straight games (2-0-1, 7 pts) since MLS resumed play following the June international window.

Climbing the Ranks

Starting the night in 11th place in the Western Conference, Portland jumped to eighth place with a record of 5-6-7 (22 pts). The Timbers have scored 27 goals this season, which is tied for the third-most in the Western Conference and tied for fifth-most overall in the league. Moreno became the fifth player to reach three or more goals this season for Portland (Moreno, Blanco, Y. Chara, Niezgoda, Tuiloma), making them one of just five teams in the league with five or more players to tally three or more goals apiece. Tonight’s result also marked the first time this season Portland has recorded back-to-back wins.

Brace City

With his first career penalty-kick attempt and run-of-play goal just 97 seconds later, Moreno scored his first career brace and second and third goals of the season. The 97-second span between goals was the second-quickest brace scored by a Timbers player in club history (Fanendo Adi, 86 seconds). Moreno became the 21st player in Timbers’ history to record a brace for Portland, marking the 52nd brace in Timbers’ regular season play. Notably, Portland has tallied four braces in the 2022 campaign from four different players (Moreno, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Nathan Fogaça, Blanco) and a brace in back-to-back matches (Niezgoda, June 25).

Portland’s Unbeaten Streak Against Houston

With tonight’s victory, the Timbers improved their regular season record against Dynamo FC to 10-5-7 and an impressive 8-1-1 at Providence Park. Portland is unbeaten against Dynamo FC in eight straight matches (W5, D3) and have not lost at home to Houston since the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2011.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – Santiago Moreno, 34th minute: Y. Chara was fouled in the box and earned a penalty kick. Moreno converted the attempt.

POR – Santiago Moreno (Yimmi Chara, Sebastián Blanco), 36th minute: With his back to goal, Blanco turned with the ball and slipped a pass into the box for Y. Chara, who cut a pass…