Dynamo play to 0-0 draw with Portland in playoff series opener

Mixed feelings will rule the week as the Dynamo discuss their latest playoff performance, but one thing is for sure.

If they’re going to advance to the next round they’ll have to conquer a challenge they have not had success with much this season.

In the first game of their two-leg Western Conference semifinal series Monday night, the Dynamo played to a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers in front of 15,169 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The return leg will be played Sunday at Providence Park in Portland.

The cause for concern will be that the Dynamo were shut out at home for the second time in 19 games this season. The silver lining will be that they did not concede an away goal, which sets them up to win that tiebreaker if they score even once in Portland.

Of course, the Dynamo have not impressed in many road games this season. They won only once in 17 tries during the regular season, though they did salvage draws in three of their last four.

They’ll have great defensive form on their side against the high-scoring Timbers. Counting the last two games of the regular season, the Dynamo have secured four consecutive clean sheets. It’s the first time they have done that since the spring of 2009.

Monday’s game was as even as could be with both teams hitting two of their nine shots on target. The teams both failed to build many dangerous chances through possession and to create anything sharp on the counter attack.

Portland had several chances to break through in the first half but lacked a final quality touch in the penalty area. The Timbers’ best chance came in the sixth minute when Darlington Nagbe got space for an open shot just inside the top of the penalty area.

Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric came off his line and made himself big. That forced Nagbe to rush his shot, and he sliced it wide of the far post.

The Dynamo thought they had a better chance of their own when referee Robert Sibiga awarded them a penalty kick in the 30th minute. Portland defender Larrys Mabiala connected with Alberth Elis’ foot while trying to tackle him in the box.

The Video Assistant Referee told Sibiga to take another look, and Sibiga did. After looking at the play again, Sibiga overturned his call and waved off the penalty.

Source: chron