Jeld-Wen Field played host to a huge playoff six-pointer, but the green-clad fans that filled the stadium were sent home unhappy. That's because the Houston Dynamo went into the Portland Timbers' raucous stadium and thanks to goals by Andre Hainault and Danny Cruz came away with a 2-0 win.
Portland Timbers Vs. Houston Dynamo, 2011 MLS: Dynamo Grab Huge Three Points
The loss leaves Portland three points out of the final playoff spot with just two matches left and they have the worst goal difference of all the contenders. Meanwhile, Houston jumped from the final playoff spot to second in the Eastern Conference, although they have played one more match than their competition.
Hainault opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he got just enough of a head on a Brad Davis free kick to deflect the ball home. Cruz's goal was far prettier as he lofted a shot from 30 yards up and over Troy Perkins just before the hour mark for a great goal that sealed a deserved Dynamo win.
It was the visitors who carried the play for most of the match and put the Timbers on their heels. Davis turned in yet another sterling performance for Houston and John Spencer's decision to leave Jorge Perlaza on the bench turned out to be awful as Kenny Cooper struggled and with him, so did the Portland attack.
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