MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, June 26, 2016
Kickoff: 3 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.) Forecast: 79 degrees, Clear
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Assistant Referees: James Conlee, Anthony Vasoli Fourth Official: Baboucarr Jallow
National TV: ESPN2
Talent: Jonathan Yardley (play-by-play), Brian Dunseth (analyst)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM) Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
NEW PROVIDENCE PARK ENTRANCE SECURITY PROCEDURES
Beginning at the Portland Thorns FC match against the Chicago Red Stars on June 22, 2016, all guests entering Providence Park will be subject to new enhanced security screening procedures, including metal detector screening prior to admittance to all Thorns & Portland Timbers matches. The new security measures are being put in place at all MLS soccer venues.
With the new policies in place, we are encouraging all fans to arrive extra early for matches to minimize wait times and potential delays entering Providence Park. Remember, early entry into the stadium for Timbers matches includes concession discounts—courtesy of Simple—of up to 25 percent on all concessions beginning the hour after the first gates open (e.g. between 5:30-6:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. match).
This enhanced screening includes walkthrough metal detectors (magnetometers), and a recently implemented bag size policy (bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not be allowed into Providence Park). Providence Park does not offer storage of prohibited items or oversized bags for guests, so everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new policies.
Guests with special medical and dietary needs will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis with respect and minimal inconvenience.
All five gates at Providence Park will have magnetometers. Click here for additional information.
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo square off on Sunday for the first time this season and the ninth time since 2011. The Timbers enter Sunday’s match unbeaten in their last four MLS matches (2-0-2) and their last five matches across all competitions (3-0-2). At home, the Timbers, who are tied for the second-most home wins in MLS this season (5), are currently riding a three-game winning streak in league play, previously defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 22 and the San Jose Earthquakes on June 1. Sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference, Houston enters Sunday’s match after three consecutive draws in league play, tying Whitecaps FC, FC Dallas and D.C. United. Forward Giles Barnes leads the team in goals (4) and game-winning goals (2).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers battled Real Salt Lake to a 2-2 draw before 20,317 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 18, extending their unbeaten run to four games in league play and five games in all competitions.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
The Timbers square off against Houston on Sunday for just the ninth time in MLS since 2011, marking the first of two regular-season meetings between the two teams this season, as the Dynamo made the move from the Eastern Conference in 2015.
At home, the Timbers have registered a 2-1-1 all-time home record against the Dynamo. In the last three games played between the two teams at Providence Park, dating back to the 2013 campaign, the Timbers have produced two wins and one draw against Houston. During that stretch, the Timbers have outscored the Dynamo 6-2 at Providence Park.
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
Behind second-half goals from midfielder Darlington Nagbe and forward Lucas Melano, the Portland Timbers overcame a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dynamo in front of a sellout crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Aug. 21.
SCOUTING THE DYNAMO
Sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference, Houston enters Sunday’s match after three consecutive draws in league play, tying Whitecaps FC, FC Dallas and D.C. United. Forward Giles Barnes leads the team in goals (4) and game-winning goals (2). In eight games played this season, the Dynamo are winless on the road, producing an 0-6-2 record. In their last three games on the road, the Dynamo have registered two draws and one loss, recording two goals during that stretch. Houston are led by Wade Barrett, who was named interim head coach in June after Owen Coyle and the Dynamo mutually parted ways. Losing 13 players in the offseason, including current Timbers defender Jermaine Taylor, the Dynamo acquired 11 players, including MLS veterans Andrew Wenger, Jalil Anibaba and Cristian Maidana.
