Throwback Thursday: Dynamo chop down Timbers in 2017 playoffs
(image via Sean Meagher/oregonlive.com)
The Houston Dynamo travel to Portland this weekend where they historically have struggled to earn points. Let’s throwback to a matchup in 2017, where the Dynamo saw their first success in Portland.
Background
In 2017, the Dynamo had their first successful season since 2013 when they last made the playoffs. They were able to overcome that playoff drought with a new head hoach in Wilmer Cabrera and an almost entire new roster built around Alberth Elis. After an impressive regular season, they finished fourth in the Western Conference and hosted Sporting Kansas City in the first playoff round. An Alberth Elis goal in extra time saw the Dynamo advance to the next round to play Portland who finished top of the Western Conference. Back in 2017, The MLS Cup Playoffs were played over two legs, where the winner would be decided on an aggregate score between the two games instead of the single game knockout rounds we see today. In the first leg, the Dynamo and Timbers tied 0-0 in Houston leaving a mountain to climb for Houston traveling to Portland.
The Timbers in 2017 were enjoying their best regular season yet with Diego Valeri putting up 21 goals and 9 assists to win MLS MVP. Newcomer Sebastian Blanco was also having a very good first season in MLS. They still had the incredible core of Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, and Liam Ridgewell who all set the standard for this era of the Portland Timbers. In the first leg, they escaped Houston with a draw, making them very confident going into the second leg. Portland had the third best home record in the West that year behind Seattle and Houston. Houston had the second worst road record in the West, which put Portland as massive favorites.
Lineups
First Half
The game kicked off in Portland with the Dynamo taking lots of pressure as expected on the road. The first big action of the game came in the 22nd minute when Dairon Asprilla forced a giant save from Joe Willis off a set piece. The Dynamo then got their first chance of the game through Alberth Elis, who failed to work the keeper on a wide-open header at the top of the six yard box. The Timbers made the Dynamo pay for their missed chance just ten minutes later with Dairon Asprilla rocketing the ball in the back of the net from close range. Dylan Remick slipped when the service came in, giving Asprilla that little bit of space to make them pay. Remick then made up for his mistake on the next set piece, striking home a massive volley to level the score. This was Remick’s third goal of the season in very little minutes as he was the backup to DaMarcus Beasley at left back. Going into halftime level and with momentum in the Dynamo’s favor created a huge opportunity for Houston to get something out of this game.
Second Half
The second half looked incredibly nerve-wracking for both teams as neither wanted to lose. This was likely a next goal wins situation with the way the game had gone. There were little chances in this second half, so Wilmer Cabrera went to his bench to make an attacking sub. Young striker Mauro Manotas came in for Erick “Cubo” Torres, who was the Dynamo’s top scorer that season. Just four minutes after coming onto the field, Manotas picked up the ball and found a little bit of space and let a shot rip from way outside the box. The shot had loads of power and took an awkward bounce, sending it past Jeff Antinella into the goal for the winner. Manotas went on to cup his ears and celebrate right in front of the Timbers Army, creating one of the most iconic images in the Dynamo’s history. Portland failed to create any substantial chances in the remaining fifteen minutes plus stoppage time and the Dynamo went on to win the series 2-1 on aggregate.
This is still considered one of the most exciting wins in the history of the Dynamo and was the catalyst for Manotas to go on to be the club’s top scorer in both 2018 and 2019. His play also led the Dynamo to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship in 2018. Unfortunately, the Dynamo crashed out of the playoffs to Seattle after the win over the Timbers, but we will always remember this Portland series for how entertaining it was. Maybe someone will breakout this weekend against Portland to give us incredible moments in the future.
