Portland Timbers beat Houston Dynamo 2-1 in their MLS home opener
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Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Timbers got their first win of the 2021 MLS campaign, as they dispatched the Houston Dynamo 2-1 in their league opener in front of a limited capacity Providence Park. Portland took the lead early through Dairon Asprilla, but Houston would equalize on an own goal off a set piece. Portland would eventually find the winner via Cristhian Paredes in the second half, which would prove to be the difference for the home side.
The match started with a different lineup than the past three matches. With the first leg of their round of 16 matchup against Club America in the Concacaf Champions League looming on Wednesday night, Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese chose to rotate the lineup for the matchup against Houston. After featuring the same starting eleven for three straight matches, Saturday presented an opportunity to give some players a rest, as Portland navigates a very congested next two weeks of fixtures.