Sports stats



MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Defeat Dynamo 2-0 in Preseason Play

February 5, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


TUCSON, Ariz. - A pair of goals in the final 10 minutes, scored by midfielder Will Johnson and forward Maximiliano Urruti, combined with the club's shutout performance led the Portland Timbers to a 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday in a preseason match played at Kino Sports Complex.

The Timbers (1-0-1 in preseason), playing in their second preseason game while in Tucson, and Dynamo (1-2-0 in preseason) divided the match into three, 30-minute periods.

Maintaining possession and consistent pressure during the final half-hour, the Timbers notched the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute when Urruti dispossessed a Dynamo player near midfield and started a counterattack. Building through a combination with forward GastÃ"n Fernández, Urruti dribbled into the left side of the penalty box before laying the ball off for Johnson, who was making a run from midfield. Johnson took the pass and scored with a shot inside the far right post.

Just three minutes later, Fernández combined with Urruti again. Fernández took a pass with space to move in the middle of the field and threaded a pass to Urruti as he entered the penalty box. Urruti delivered a well-placed shot to the lower right corner for a two-goal lead in the 83rd minute.

Timbers goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts and Andrew Weber combined to record Portland's first shutout of the preseason, neither facing much pressure from the Houston offense during the match. Houston saw a volley from forward Giles Barnes denied by Ricketts in the 74th minute and a second-half stoppage time threat cleared out of the box by defender Jack Jewsbury following an initial sliding stop from Ricketts.

Opening the match without allowing Houston a quality opportunity on goal, the Timbers developed a rhythm in the second 30-minute period as midfielder Kalif Alhassan saw two well-struck efforts saved by Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall. Alhassan connected with a pass from defender Jorge Villafaña inside the left side of the penalty box, forcing Hall to parry the shot out for a corner kick in the 37th minute. Alhassan was then turned away again in the 49th minute as Hall made a diving save on a low drive to the near post.

Urruti nearly put the Timbers ahead in the 71st minute when midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe lofted a pass into space for Urruti on the right flank. Urruti settled the pass with room to run at goal and saw his low shot hit off the left post and bounce right into the hands of Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

The Timbers play Seattle Sounders FC in their next preseason match Saturday, Feb. 8, at Kino Sports Complex at 5 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be streamed live at www.timbers.com.

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from February 5, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central