Timbers-Dynamo Preview

Published May. 14, 2012 3:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Portland Timbers have won only two road games in their year-plus of existence, and it will stay that way as long as they continue putting up scoreless efforts.

The Houston Dynamo, meanwhile, are rejuvenated after an emotional victory in their new home.

Houston seeks consecutive victories for the first time in nearly two months when it looks to extend Portland's six-game road winless streak Tuesday night.

The Dynamo (3-3-2) opened their soccer-specific venue Saturday with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United as Brad Davis scored in the 67th minute to send the sellout crowd home happy.

"To be here and to have that happen is pretty special," Davis said. "Obviously, a day I won't forget. It is a moment that I won't forget and our fans won't forget - the first goal at BBVA Compass Stadium."

Houston, off to a disappointing start after reaching the MLS Cup final last season, played its first seven games on the road while construction on the $95 million stadium was completed.

The Dynamo won their first two games March 11 and 17, then went five straight without a victory prior to Saturday.

"I wanted to win the game," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "It's not often you get to open up the stadium, and the place is sold out, and there is so much activity around. You want to give the fans what they are coming here for. They are coming for the event, but they are also coming to see their team win."

Portland (2-5-2) will be the next visitor to the venue, and the crowd likely won't let up on a team that's a dismal 2-12-7 on the road since beginning MLS play last season.

The Timbers are 0-3-3 away from home since a 1-0 victory at Vancouver on Oct. 2, and they've been outscored 6-1 while losing the last three.

Recently, Portland can't seem to score no matter where it plays. It's coming off a scoreless draw with Columbus at home May 5 after falling 2-0 at Montreal on April 28.

The Timbers' only victory in their last eight games was a 1-0 win over previously perfect Kansas City on April 21 - a match in which Sporting KC scored an own goal in the 42nd minute. No Portland player has scored in the club's last 337 minutes, since Kris Boyd did in the 23rd minute of a 3-1 loss to Los Angeles on April 14.

"We've got to score goals," coach John Spencer told the team's official website. "All we can do is create opportunities. And when you get them, score goals. It's pretty simple. It's not an Excel spreadsheet you're looking at, it's the game of soccer."

Spencer was somewhat satisfied with the Timbers' last match after shifting captain Jack Jewsbury from midfield to defense and defender Rodney Wallace to midfield wing against Columbus.

"It's a positive step," Spencer said. "Obviously, not the result we hoped for, but a positive step."

Jewsbury scored in Portland's 2-1 loss at Houston on Aug. 14, and the Dynamo also won the rematch 2-0 on Oct. 14.