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Houston Dynamo FC

Portland Rally Knots Dynamo 2-2

August 22, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Boniek Garcia and Will Bruin scored late in the first half, but the Portland Timbers scored twice in the final 15 minutes as the Houston Dynamo settled for a 2-2 draw at Providence Park on Friday.

The Dynamo (32 points, 25 games played) trail the Seattle Sounders (35 points, 25 games played) by three points for sixth place and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Sounders visit Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Houston will conclude its three-game road swing on Wednesday against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Portland gained the best chances early on and came close in the 37th minute, when Diego Valeri fed Lucas Melano near the penalty spot but Tyler Deric used his outstretched right leg for a vital save against the Argentinian.

The Dynamo would strike first, pressing the Timbers after a corner kick as Garcia won the ball 25 yards from goal and quickly played a give-and-go with Bruin at the edge of the box. Bruin's pass was perfectly placed in front of Garcia, who finished from a tight angle for a 1-0 lead and his third goal of the season.

Houston's second goal arrived five minutes later on a quick counterattack. Luis Garrido won the ball in the center circle and the ball quickly circulated from Rasheed Olabiyi to Brad Davis, who drove forward and played a well-timed pass that put Bruin into a similar position as Garcia, on the right side of the box. Bruin beat Adam Kwarasay with a finish to the far post to double the lead.

It was Bruin's tenth goal of the season. The fifth-year forward is the first player in Dynamo history to record three seasons with 10 or more goals, eclipsing Brian Ching, who reached 10 or more goals twice in Houston.

Deric continued another big performance, making important saves and commanding his box as the game reached the final quarter hour. The Dynamo kept the two-goal lead until the 76th minute, when Darlington Nagme dribbled past several defenders and worked a quick one-two at the edge of the box with Melano and finished from 10 yards, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Timbers continued to pump crosses into the box and it finally paid off 10 minutes later as Valeri served from the right flank and Melano used one touch with his instep for a fine finish from 12 yards, tying the game.

The Dynamo gained a man advantage in second-half stoppage time as Diego Chara raised an elbow and struck Erick Torres in the throat as the Mexican striker led a counterattack. Chara was sent off by referee Ricardo Salazar, but the Dynamo were unable to regain the lead despite threatening Portland's penalty area for the final two minutes.

Houston played the match without three probable starters due to injury: Ricardo Clark (hamstring), DaMarcus Beasley (calf) and Giles Barnes (Achilles).

After Wednesday's road game in Colorado, the Dynamo host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, Aug. 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Next game: Colorado Rapids vs. Houston Dynamo - Wednesday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. CT, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado.

Next home game: Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. CT, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas

Dynamo Milestones and notes:

Will Bruin is the first player in Dynamo history to record three seasons with 10 or more goals, eclipsing Brian Ching, who reached 10 or more goals twice in Houston.

It was Boniek Garcia's 15th career goal in all competitions with the Dynamo to pass Geoff Cameron and tie Bobby Boswell for ninth on the franchise list.

It was also Garcia's 12th career regular-season goal with the Dynamo to pass Cameron and tie Cam Weaver for eighth on the franchise list.

Brad Davis made his 317th career MLS regular-season start to pass Pablo Mastroeni and tie Brian Carrol for sixth on the MLS list.

Bruin recorded his 15th career regular-season assist to tie Cameron for seventh on the club list.

Midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi made his first start with the Dynamo. The Nigerian joined the club on July 7.

It was Bruin's 125th career MLS regular-season start with Houston.

It was Garcia's 75th career MLS regular-season start.

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