Timbers to open Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs against the Houston Dynamo
October 28, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will begin their 2017 postseason campaign when the team travels to face the Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the two-game, aggregate-goal Western Conference Semifinals in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs at BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday, Oct. 30. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific), Monday's match will be televised nationally on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Entering the Western Conference Semifinals, the Timbers finished the 2017 MLS regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after defeating Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 at Providence Park on Oct. 22. With the win, Portland recorded its 15th victory of the season, which tied the 2015 campaign for the most regular-season wins in a single season in the club's MLS era, while also tying its second-highest point total (53) in the club's MLS era. Additionally, with goals from defender Liam Ridgewell and forward Darren Mattocks, the Timbers became the only Western Conference team to reach the 60-goal mark in 2017, while also surpassing a club record for consecutive games with a goal (21).
Monday's match, the first-ever playoff meeting between Portland and Houston, marks the 13th contest between the two teams since 2011, and the third meeting between the Timbers and Dynamo in 2017. Heading into Monday's fixture, the Timbers are unbeaten in five of their last six games against Houston, dating back to June 20, 2015. In the only meeting between the two teams at BBVA Compass Stadium this season, both teams battled to a 2-2 draw on July 29, with midfielder Diego Valeri and Sebastián Blanco each scoring in the draw. Prior to the July 29 match, Portland took a 4-2 win over Houston at Providence Park on March 18, with Valeri scoring a brace in the win. Since 2016, Valeri has recorded eight combined goals and assists against Houston, which ranks as the highest point total for any player against a single MLS opponent over the last two seasons.
The Dynamo enter the game coming off Thursday's 1-0 home win against Sporting Kansas City in extra time in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Forward Alberth Elis scored Houston's lone goal in the 94th minute of play, helping the home side advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Prior to the postseason, Houston produced the second-most regular-season home wins in MLS in 2017 with a 12-1-4 record at BBVA Compass Stadium. Forward Erick Torres leads the team in goals scored (14).
Following the first-leg match, the Timbers will return to Providence Park to play host to Houston in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 5. Individual tickets for the Nov. 5 playoff match, presented by KeyBank, are currently available for purchase online, by phone at (888) 736-6849, or at the Providence Park box office.
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