PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Andre Hainault and Danny Cruz scored goals and the Houston Dynamo took a big step toward the MLS playoffs with a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Friday night.
The Dynamo (11-9-13) have 46 points, putting them in good position to take one of the league’s 10 playoff berth. Houston assured itself of no worse than a tie for 10th after Saturday’s games.
The win vaulted the Dynamo into second place in the Eastern Conference, ahead of New York (43 points), Columbus (44) and Sporting Kansas City (45), all of whom play Saturday. The Dynamo can guarantee a fifth trip to the playoffs in six seasons by beating league-leading Los Angeles in their final regular-season match Oct. 23.
The Timbers (11-14-7) have 40 points and are virtually eliminated from the playoffs.
