Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo got their first win of the 2024 MLS regular season, beating the Portland Timbers 1-0 Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Aliyu Ibrahim scored the goal to give the Dynamo a valuable three points against a team that came in at the top of the Western Conference.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 1-0 Portland Timbers
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Erick Lezama Pavon
Assistants: Sergio Santana, Leonardo Sanchez Cordero
Fourth Official: Victor Borges
VAR: Sandro Ricci
Attendance: 16,003
Weather: 69 degrees, cloudy skies
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Aliyu Ibrahim (Adalberto Carrasquilla) 43’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Griffin Dorsey (caution; foul) 52’
POR: Dario Zuparic (caution; poor sportsmanship) 57’
POR: Kamal Miller (caution; foul) 64’
HOU: Sebastian Kowalczyk (caution; foul) 70’
HOU: Artur (caution; foul) 80’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Steve Clark (c); Franco Escobar, Ethan Bartlow, Griffin Dorsey, Micael; Artur, Jan Gregus, Adalberto Carrasquilla; Aliyu Ibrahim (Brad Smith 83’), Amine Bassi (Brooklyn Raines 90+3’), Sebastian Kowalczyk (Gabe Segal 76’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Tarbell, Daniel Steres, Latif Blessing, Tate Schmitt, Ousmane Sylla
Total shots: 9 (Aliyu Ibrahim 3)
Shots on goal: 4 (Aliyu Ibrahim 2)
Fouls: 16 (Griffin Dorsey and Artur tied with 3)
Offside: 3 (Aliyu Ibrahim 2)
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 4 (Steve Clark 4)
Portland Timbers: Maxime Crepeau; Kamal Miller, Dario Zuparic (Miguel Araujo 87’), Eric Miller (David Ayala 87’), Juan Mosquera; Evander, Antony, Diego Chara (c); Cristhian Paredes (Eryk Williamson 65’), Santiago Moreno, Dairon Asprilla (Nathan Fogaca 76’)
Unused substitutes: Zac McGraw, Larrys Mabiala, James Pantemis
Total shots: 18 (three players tied with 3)
Shots on goal: 4 (four players tied with 1)
Fouls: 11 (three players tied with 2)
Offside: 1 (Eryk Williamson 1)
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 3 (Maxime Crepeau 3)
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the game:
“We made a lot of little plays that mattered in the box tonight, whether it was blocking a shot or helping your teammate. That has not happened in other games that haven’t gone our way recently. It was a good effort from everybody today. We weren’t perfect, and we have a lot of work to do, but now we have a full week to prepare for the next game and work on ourselves.”
On the team’s response:
“Tonight was a big moment. A loss today would have really hurt. We put a lot into this stretch over the past month, and it’s a physical and mental test when the games come fast and furious like this. I was proud of how our guys executed on the field today against a strong team like Portland.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER ADALBERTO CARRASQUILLA
Sobre el triunfo ante Portland:
“Estoy muy contento por la primera victoria en la MLS, la primera victoria en casa. Hay que seguir trabajando. Se vio un equipo diferente a cuando iniciamos. Eso es lo importante, seguir mejorando. Querer seguir sumando puntos”.
Sobre la importancia de ganar este juego de varios resultados adversos:
“Todos en el equipo tenemos el mismo pensamiento. Sabíamos lo importante que era este partido. Sumar tres puntos, lo logramos, ahora a pensar en el próximo partido y seguir concentrados en mejorar como equipo. Al final el objetivo es común de todos en el Dynamo. Hoy demostramos cuán comprometidos estamos”.
Sobre su estado físico tras jugar tanos minutos en Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS y ahora reportarse a la selección de Panamá:
“Contento por estar siempre en el campo tratando de ayudar al equipo. La verdad es que luego de acumular carga será muy importante la recuperación. Toca ya de mi parte esa recuperación. Sé que aquí Ben Olsen me está dando la confianza. Tengo que cuidarme para aportar al equipo y saber cuándo descansar porque será una temporada larga. Hay que ser inteligente para balancear esa carga”.
HOUSTON DYNAMO DEFENDER GRIFFIN DORSEY
On keeping a clean sheet:
“It's huge. Everybody worked their tails off tonight – from the front line to the back line. To keep that zero on the scoreboard is a testament to not only the backline and (Steve Clark) but also the entire team. This was a huge performance.”
On responding to Tuesday’s match in Columbus:
“For us as a defense, it's super important to communicate and stay connected as a back four, including Steve (Clark). We have a lot of guys who are stepping up in that category. In terms of having fewer games, I think it gives us more time to focus on each opponent. We came away with a win tonight, but we are far from perfect.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO FORWARD ALIYU IBRAHIM
On the game:
“It was good (to score) and most importantly that we got the three points. I feel confident that I can score more goals this season.”
On playing with Amine Bassi:
“I feel more comfortable. (Amine Bassi) is a good player who can play everywhere. His versatility is important to us. He can also keep the ball and connect, which we saw today.”
