:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46586886/usa-today-8662499.0.jpg)
The Timbers came into the game with a lot of confidence and the player performances reflected that confidence. With so many good performances to choose from it made this week's choice for Man of the Match a little harder. Here are the contributors picks for MOTM:
Case: Maximiliano Urruti
The glorious forehead of Maximiliano Urruti. What a striker he was this game for Portland. The attack overall was just relentless and we kept finding Urruti looking to smack the ball in. The goal he got at the end of the first half was class. He might just be growing into the striker we need.
Kevin: Jorge Villafana
He was near dominant on his left side. Juking his defenders in and around their own box. Stood up to the punishment Houston dished out to him well and another superb assist for him from a dead ball kick. Just an out and out amazing match for the left back tonight.
Will: Liam Ridgewell
The Timbers' defensive designated player showed why he is one of the league's top centerbacks against a Houston team that, when they score, tend to score in droves. Ridgewell was extremely active keeping the Timbers' back line organized, came up with some big interceptions and tackles, and generally shut down the Dynamo attack, even as they threw players forward late in the match.
Ryan: Will Johnson
I went with Will not because he had the best game or contributed to the score sheet in a meaningful way, but because of the way he impacted the game through his role as captain. Instead of demanding to take the penalty kick like we saw last year, this year we saw him go over to Gaston Fernandez and ask him to take the penalty. His reasoning? Gaston is here to score goals. This small act, and others like it, might have greater positive repercussions over the course of the season than if he had taken it himself.
Who do you have?