Riding a three-game unbeaten streak, the Portland Timbers head to Texas to face the Houston Dynamo Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium (5:30pm PT, FOX 12 PLUS). Here are five numbers to know for #HOUvPOR in the latest Quick Strikes.
9 After a two-assist performance against Colorado, Sebastián Blanco was named MLS Player of the Week. Blanco is the ninth different Timbers player to receive the honor since Portland became an MLS team in 2011.
7 In his first start for the Timbers, goalkeeper Steve Clark delivered three saves en route to a shutout. Clark is the seventh Timbers goalkeeper to record a shutout in MLS play and the second to secure a shutout in his first start with the club, joining Adam Kwarasey.
23 With Clark and Jeremy Ebobisse each starting Portland's last match, a total of 23 different players have started for the Timbers in an MLS game this season. The 23 different starters is one more than the club had in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
12Through their first 27 games in league play, the Timbers rank tied for first in MLS with Atlanta United FC and the New York Red Bulls in headed goals (12). Defender Larrys Mabiala has re- corded four total goals in 2018, all headers, ranking tied for fourth in the league for headed goals in 2018.
68 Since joining the Timbers prior to the 2013 MLS season, Diego Valeri has scored 68 goals (fifth-most in the league in that span) while delivering 63 assists (most since debut). Valeri is the only player to be in the top-five for both goals and assists in that time period.
