The Houston Dynamo will face a crucial home match against the Portland Timbers on Saturday night without their captain in the lineup or their coach on the sidelines.
Midfielder Artur and manager Ben Olsen both received red cards in last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at the Colorado Rapids, with Olsen’s coming after the final whistle.
That means both will serve suspensions against the Timbers in a game where a win could prove vital to prolonging Houston’s playoff hopes.
“Artur being out is way more influential than me being out,” Olsen said Friday. “He’s a big piece. You guys know that. Everybody knows that. Both from a leadership standpoint, but also as a focal point and putting out fires and being a guy that’s very reliable. OK? We’ve dealt with that in every area of the field constantly throughout this year. And now there’s a midfield hole for the day and we’ve got some guys to fill it.”
The result left Houston (8-13-9, 33 points) in 12th place in the Western Conference, but still only two points behind ninth-place San Jose and the final West playoff spot. Olsen’s Dynamo are trying to extend their playoff streak to three seasons, following a previous five-year drought.
The Timbers (11-9-9, 42 points) ended a four-match winless run last Saturday with a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls, a result that moved Portland up to sixth in the West. They also stayed only three points behind fifth-place Seattle after the Sounders’ 3-1 loss at Miami on Tuesday night.
Antony’s 73rd-minute match-winner was his seventh goal overall, and his first goal since returning from a nearly two-month layoff to recover from a hamstring injury.
With Houston facing increased pressure to earn a victory, Portland manager Phil Neville is hopeful that his team can capitalize on their skill in transition.
All but one of the Timbers’ victories this season have come when having 54 percent possession or less.
“What you’re going to see is, you’re going to see teams gambling to win, taking big risks,” Neville said. “They’re going to be open games. There will be lots of transition goals.”
–Field Level Media
