Mateusz Bogusz scored a surprising goal deep into second-half stoppage time, leading the Houston Dynamo to a 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday in an exciting Western Conference matchup.
Bogusz made a run down the left side during a counterattack, received a pass from Jack McGlynn, and found the bottom-right corner of the net past Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis.
The Dynamo’s chances appeared bleak when Nicholas Markanich received a red card just minutes before the end. However, Bogusz’s late goal secured the win for Houston, now at 2-1-0 with 6 points.
Portland, struggling with a record of 1-3-3, lost its third consecutive match and has allowed two or more goals in seven straight games since last year’s MLS Cup playoff series against San Diego.
In a strange turn of events, the Timbers took the lead in the fourth minute of first-half added time after a penalty was awarded. Houston’s Diadie Samassekou fouled Finn Surman in the box during a shot by Kristoffer Velde, although Velde’s shot was significantly off target. A video review confirmed that Samassekou had pulled Surman down.
Velde stepped up for the penalty, but Houston’s goalkeeper Jonathan Bond saved it. The rebound fell to Gage Guerra, who scored by shooting into the net off the right post.
The Dynamo equalized in the 62nd minute when Guilherme Santos headed in a cross from Bogusz after jumping over a defender.
McGlynn nearly put Houston ahead in the 65th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar.
Felipe Andrade then scored for the Dynamo in the 77th minute with a shot from outside the box that found the lower-right corner, assisted by Guilherme.
The lead was short-lived as Velde quickly responded with a goal two minutes later, converting a shot in traffic after a throw-in from Jimer Fory.
This set the stage for Bogusz’s last-minute heroics.