RECAP | Portland Timbers run out to 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo FC

Da Costa, Velde and Janssen all provide goals in victory

PORTLAND, Ore – Vincent Janssen tallied a goal and two assists while Kristoffer Velde and David Da Costa each posted goal and assist performances as the Portland Timbers ran out to a 3-1 victory over visiting Houston Dynamo FC Sunday night at Providence Park.

The win marked Portland's third in a row and fourth game unbeaten with the result pushing the Timbers above the playoff line and into eighth place in the Western Conference with one regular-season game left to play.

Down to Decision Day

Heading into Decision Day, the Timbers are in eighth place in the Western Conference. Just three points separate six teams positioned seventh through 12th in the table, all vying for the final three playoff spots. Portland will close its regular season campaign against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Decision Day, November 7. All Western Conference Decision Day matches will kick off at 4pm PT.

Numbers at Providence Park

The Timbers completed their 17-game home schedule with a record of 9-4-4. When playing at Providence Park, Portland outscored its opponents 37-28. The team scored at least one goal in 15 of its 17 home matches this season. Additionally, Finn Surman was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year for a second straight season.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – David Da Costa (Vincent Janssen), 25th minute: Vincent Janssen slipped a pass through Houston’s backline and into the left side of the box for David Da Costa, who took a touch onto his left and roofed a shot into the top of the net. 

POR – Kristoffer Velde (Vincent Janssen, Ariel Lassiter), 65th minute: From the center of the pitch, Vincent Janssen played a long ball over the top into the path of Kristoffer Velde. Velde dribbled into the box and finished the play into the bottom right corner of the goal.

HOU – Agustín Bouzat (Duncan McGuire, Diadié Samassékou), 71st minute: Agustín Bouzat received a pass at the top of the Timbers’ box before hitting a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

POR – Vincent Janssen (David Da Costa), 78th minute: David Da Costa delivered a corner from the left side that Vincent Janssen met with a header in the middle of the six yard area to find the back of the net.

Notes

• The Timbers (12-14-7, 43pts) are in eighth place in the Western Conference.
• Finn Surman was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year for a second straight season.
• Portland has now won three straight games and is unbeaten in four (3-0-1).
• It marks the first time the Timbers have won three straight games since June 2024.
• Notably, the Timbers have scored three goals in three straight games.
• Portland has scored the second most goals in the Western Conference (60).
• Sixty goals scored in a single season is tied for third most in Portland’s MLS history.
• The Timbers completed their 17-game home schedule with a record of 9-4-4. 
• Portland has outscored opponents 37-28 at Providence Park this season.
• Kristoffer Velde registered his team-leading 11th goal of the season. 
• David Da Costa scored his seventh goal of the campaign.
• Velde and Da Costa have both scored in back-to-back matches. 
• Da Costa also notched an assist, his team-leading 11th of the year.
• Vincent Janssen scored his fifth goal of the season.
• Janssen also tallied two assists in the match, his first in MLS.
• Janssen has seven goal contributions (5G, 2A) in 13 appearances (8 starts). 
• Ariel Lassiter recorded his seventh assist of the campaign.

Next Game

The Timbers will play their final match of the 2026 regular season on the road at Austin FC on Decision Day, November 7. Kickoff at Q2 Stadium is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific) on Apple TV in English and Spanish with local radio broadcasts on KNRK 94.7 FM (English) and La GranD 93.5 FM/1150 AM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (12-14-7, 43pts) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (14-10-9, 51pts)

November 1, 2026 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Scoring Summary:
POR: Da Costa (Janssen), 25
POR: Velde (Janssen, Lassiter), 65
HOU: Bouzat (McGuire, Samassékou), 71
POR: Janssen (Da Costa), 78

Misconduct Summary:
POR: Smith (caution), 18
HOU: Samassékou (caution), 40
HOU: Resch (caution), 61
POR: Chara (caution), 90+3

Lineups:
POR: GK Pantemis, D Hernández, D Surman ©, D Waterman, D Smith, M Caicedo (Ortiz, 89), M Da Costa (Chara, 90), M Izoita (Bassett, 62), F Lassiter (Fernandez, 83), F Janssen (Aravena, 82), F Velde

Substitutes Not Used: GK Sulte, D E. Miller, D Jura, F Guerra

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Velde, Janssen, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Da Costa, 2); FOULS: 10 (Velde, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 0

HOU: GK Gillingham, D Negri (Holmes, 36) (Markanich, 83), D Aliyu (Andrade, 66) , D Ennali, D Resch, D Halter, M Samassékou, M Artur © (Arana, 66), M Bouzat, F Foster (Mcguire, 66), F Bogusz

Substitutes Not Used: GK Erb, D Carlos, M Rivera

TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Halter, Ennali, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Bouzat, 1); FOULS: 10 (three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4

Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Adam Garner
Fourth Official: Robert Vincze
VAR: Michael Radchuk
Attendance: 22,936

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.