HOUSTON – Different opponent. Different challenge.
The Houston Dynamo’s nil-nil draw against the Portland Timbers Saturday night at PNC Stadium bore little resemblance to its shootout win against San Jose a week ago. The Timbers, a perennial MLS Cup contender, proved to be the toughest test for Houston to date this season.
The home side started the game on the front foot and pushed for an opening goal, including two scoring opportunities within the first 20 minutes. But Portland’s keeper Aljaz Ivacic had other ideas. Ivacic played a prominent role in the match, keeping the shutout for the Timbers with four saves.
“To be honest, we gave it to them in the beginning of the first half,” Houston Dynamo head coach Paulo Nagamura said. “We could have been ahead with 15 or 20 minutes with two square chances. But again, it’s when you play against a good team, it’s always ups and downs, and during the game, I think we play head-to-head with them.”
Not to be left behind, the Dynamo’s defense answered the call when Portland turned on the switch and pressed Houston. In the 75th minute, Houston’s defense was dealt a bad hand when Teenage Hadebe picked up a second yellow card and got sent off.
As expected, the Timbers controlled possession against a 10-man Dynamo, but Houston clamped down on defense and secured the point despite the disadvantage.
“Credit to our players, I think that they are committed,” Nagamura said.
“They understand that we want to win every game at home, but it’s going to have different situations and different scenarios and understand that at times we need to make sure that we keep a clean sheet because they are playing a man down, and I think they really did a good job with that.”
Steve Clark shines against former team
Having a goalkeeper of Steve Clark’s caliber between the post helps keep a high-attacking team in check. Clark has been a steady hand for Houston’s backline all season long. His performance tonight was evidence of that helping Houston keep the zero on the scoreboard.
“I think we said numerous times, he’s experienced in being a leader from the backline that will definitely help our young players, and Steve (Clark) was on point today. He made decisions that he had to make,” Nagamura said. “And again, he was good in helping us keep the cushion.”
Clark spent four seasons in Portland, including their MLS Cup run last season, but he said Saturday’s game didn’t have any extra significance. Yes, he loved seeing his former teammates, but the game was about getting points for him. The shutout is a cherry on top.
“It’s always nice to get a shutout – I thought my game was good, good form. Stringing together a couple of shutouts would be nice starting today, so I feel good. But there is no extra satisfaction with the Timbers,” said Clark. “I feel rooted here. I am pushing with this team, and I love what we are doing.”
Tim Parker made his return to the starting lineup after a two-game layoff. The veteran center back was more than glad to help Clark get a clean sheet against his former team.
“When you leave a club and have the first opportunity to play against them, it has a bigger fire in your belly. For him to make a couple of saves, and having the clean sheet at home, is really important,” said Parker. “To help him out in this instance and for him, it is important to get sharper and get those shutouts going.”
Houston’s defense and Clark’s veteran skills will be put to the test in their next MLS match as the club travels to Frisco to face their in-state rivals FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
Jesus Acevedo Jr. is the Editor-in-Chief of The Bayoucitian. He’s an award-winning bilingual journalist from Houston, TX. A graduate of the University of Houston, he has written for the Houston Chronicle, La Voz de Houston, MLSsoccer.com, and ProSoccerUSA.
Before becoming a journalist, Jesus spent his early 20s drumming his way across Houston with two bands — Shortcomings and InsertNameHere. The memories that Jesus made as a musician were the seeds that started the idea for the comedy, Houmans: The Series.