Lacking consistency is one costly blunder for the Portland Timbers

Houston Dynamo 4, Portland Timbers 1

BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas

When the defensive game was getting a boost and playing an important role in Portland latest string of wins adding to three, today in Houston these surrendered horribly to the push of a determined and hungry Orange Crush. 

With the Dynamo coming from a horrendous six matches battling a horrendous slump were they just manage to draw a lone point accompanied by five losses, today with the support of their faithful managed to deliver a rout. 

After a play with Alva’s Powell back in the starting lineup, by doing his trademark counter, his shoot was the one that made Houston defender Alejandro Fuenmayor commit a booboo in the 9’ minute to put the Portland Timbers ahead in the scoreboard. 

However, that early dominance in the match that the Portland initial eleven was exercising on the locals, suddenly crumbled and gave way to a pushy and ambitious Houston that manager Wilmer Cabrera decided to align his top players. 

After a goal saving play that the Timbers almost surrendered it to goal and its defense rose high to kick the ball out of the arches defended by Steve Clarke, and denied the locals what could been their first score. Their collapse came after this play. 

As I mentioned before the way this Houston squad playing at home in always-difficult BBVA Stadium in Houston became once again a living nightmare for Gio Savarese and company in the end. 

The Rose City coming to this match the idea was to add points in what seems to be an agonizing campaign and with every point on the line a single or in three, these add up to the benefit of the Rose City squad after seeing this competition in the Western Conference stepping up!

As another defensive meltdown was in the works for the Portland Timbers seeing their adversaries’ goals scored within six feet of their goal as well receiving a rout of four unanswered goals in what seemed to be another game without its attacking core missing in action. 

As the Portland, squad contrary to what Gio mentioned in his post-match press conference this squad lacked a serious game without any focus lacking an executing defensive game as well their overconfidence once again became their doom. 

For Gio Savarese this loss hurts a lot and puts his squad but a Vancouver loss against the Seattle Sounders their lead over the Caps and still in sixth place above the red line, with a lead of four points over their north of the border Cascadia foes. 

Today the defensive backfield missing Jorge Villafaña and Liam Ridgewell who stayed in Portland missed dearly in the defense backfield, as Jorge came as a substitute in the 56’ minute for Zarek Valentin a little too late. 

As the starting backfield with Zarek Valentin and Alva’s Powell in the sides and Julio Cascante along with Larry’s Mabiala playing as center backs, in the end they expose the likes of a strong and tough frontal Houston attack. 

For Houston manager Wilmer Cabrera putting in the front the likes of Mauro Manotas, Rommell Quioto, Tomas Martinez and Alberth Elis, in the end their game dynamic and strategy became pure poison to the Portland defense. 

Consistency, overconfidence and seriousness in some matches are costing this squad once brilliant revival possibly see a campaign sans a postseason of these seeing a continuance of dropping valuable points and games like today.

The need to perform strongly on the road is necessary and not at home only, as this squad has all the elements to contend and not drop any match especially with troublesome squads that can net them positive results.

Despite the Houston blunder early in the match, the Dynamo honored its name and delivered a goal rout with scores from Alberth Elis 32’ assisted by Tomas Martinez, Mauro Manotas 39’ by Alberth Elis and Tomas Martinez, Mauro Manotas 71’ and Alejandro Fuenmayor  81’.

Now for another midweek game at home against a tough and not so easy Columbus Crew, for Portland advantage playing at home and a win for sure can uplift his squad confidence once again.

  

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