Ezequiel Ponce scored his 10th goal to lift the Houston Dynamo to what could be a crucial 1-0 victory over the visiting Portland Timbers on Saturday night.

Jonathan Bond made three stops to preserve his sixth clean sheet and Houston's ninth overall as the fight for a potential playoff spot continued.

The Dynamo (9-13-9, 36 points) began the night in 12th place in the Western Conference, but only two points back of the ninth and final playoff spot held by San Jose, which was scheduled to play at home later Saturday against St. Louis.

James Pantemis made six saves for Portland, which has been shut out in three of its last six matches and won only once in that span.

Despite that, the Timbers (11-10-9, 42 points) will finish the night in 7th place in the West, though they could be overtake

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