Juan Cabezas headed in a free kick by Memo Rodriguez nine minutes from full time to help the Houston Dynamo rally for a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday night.
Cabezas latched onto the Rodriguez free kick and snapped a downward header in for his first MLS goal to stretch the Dynamo’s home unbeaten streak to 11 (8-0-3) in 2017
The Timbers handed the Dynamo only their second home deficit on the season when Diego Valeri struck on 13 minutes, taking a great first touch before hammering in off the crossbar from 12 yards.
Mauro Manotas equalized in the 37th minute, bouncing in a loose ball after Jake Gleeson stretched out to get a hand on an Andrew Wegner cross.
With a great turn in the box, Valeri set up red-hot Sebastian Blanco for his fourth goal in the last eight games to give the Timbers a 2-1 halftime lead.
Goals
- 13’ – POR – Diego Valeri WATCH
- 37’ – HOU – Mauro Manotas WATCH
- 43’ – POR – Sebastian Blanco WATCH
- 81 – HOU – Juan Cabezas WATCH
Three Things
- VAR IS NOT THAT FAR: That might be what Portland coach Caleb Porter is telling himself after the Timbers had a goal called back for what was ruled as offside, even though replays appear to show the Fanendo Adi was onside when he received a square ball from Diego Chara after Tyler Deric whiffed on an attempted clearance. It is a goal that would have put the Timbers in front, 3-1, in the 55th minute.
- NEARLY THE 50-50 CLUB: Diego Valeri continues his torrid pace with a goal and an assist against Houston, moving closer to the 50-goal and 50-career assist mark in his MLS career. His first-half goal, the sixth all-time against Houston, was his 48th career goal. He then picked up his 50th career assist on Sebastian Blanco’s goal. Javier Morales was the last player to reach the 50-50 mark in April, becoming the 17th in league history to do so.
- HOME (STILL) SWEET HOME: The Dynamo remain one of four MLS teams without a home loss. In fact, they only trailed for the second time at BBVA Compass Stadium, but they rallied to beat the Red Bulls, 4-1, on April 1. The other undefeated teams at home are Toronto FC (7-0-3), Chicago Fire (9-0-1) and Sporting Kansas City (6-0-4)
