Dynamo pick up first win of MLS season, beating Timbers 1-0
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo came into Saturday night’s match at Shell Energy Stadium still looking for their first win in MLS play. Houston beat St. Louis CITY SC in Champions Cup play but had just a draw and a loss in league play. The Western Conference leading Portland Timbers were in town, setting up a tough task. The Dynamo proved to be up for it, getting a goal from Aliyu Ibrahim to collect their first three points of 2024 in a 1-0 victory.
Portland came out on the front foot to start the match. Just three minutes in, Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark was called on. Clark made a save on a shot from the top of the box. The rebound fell to Timbers Designated Player Evander near the penalty spot and he unleashed a volley on goal. Clark did just enough to get a hand on the shot and tip it up onto the crossbar and over.
Both teams traded attacking back and forth for the majority of the opening minutes. It would be the Dynamo, however, who found an opening goal just before half time. The ball was worked around on the right side of the box before Coco Carrasquilla picked it up and played a wonderful ball in with the outside of his right foot. The Portland defender and goalkeeper Max Crepeau couldn’t control the ball in and it bounced right to Aliyu Ibrahim. The Nigerian slammed the ball into the empty net to make the score 1-0 Houston in the 43rd minute.
There wasn’t a lot of action in the second half, something the Dynamo were probably more than fine with. Portland’s two best chances came from free kicks just outside the box. Evander sent one into the Dynamo supporters section and have the second deflected by a Houston wall.
The Dynamo played out the full 90 minutes, securing the 1-0 win and picking up their first victory of the MLS regular season. Three points against a team who came in at the top of the Western Conference is something that can definitely be used to build on and Ben Olsen’s side will look to do just that as they now head out on the road.
Houston will play their first road match of the MLS regular season, next Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. That game will kick off at 8:30 PM in Houston.
