Houston Dynamo's latest addition, Ondrej Lingr, described himself as a "warrior" after completing his move to the Western Conference club from Slavia Prague. 

Lingr was unveiled as the Dynamo's newest Designated Player on Friday, ending his time in Czechia with 41 goals and 12 assists in 162 appearances in all competitions. 

He is the latest recruit in the Dynamo's rebuilt midfield, alongside the United States international Jack McGlynn, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Union. 

Lingr joins the club who are currently the lowest scorers in the division, and is hoping to make an instant impact against the Portland Timbers this Sunday. 

"I'm a more direct attacking midfielder," Lingr explained. "I like to be in the 18, be around the chances, scoring goals. Also, help the team with the pressing.

"I'm an aggressive, pressing type of player. I have a fighting spirit, so I will do on the field the best I can. It's funny, but I'm a warrior. I will die for my team. 

"For me, it's a really big chance. I spoke with my family, with my wife and I think I need to go for this chance. It's a really, really great opportunity.

"I'm really, really excited to make a new step for me, and I hope we will make the best results with Houston and win some cups. I hope I will be an important player for the team."

Portland, meanwhile, are looking to build on their impressive 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids, with that result seeing them pick up their second win of the season.

They are now unbeaten in their last two MLS fixtures, having also held the LA Galaxy to a 1-1 draw, and head coach Phil Neville praised his players for their recent improvement. 

"We're really looking forward to it. We are going to have to get used to these Sunday games. It's a big game on Sunday night and all eyes will be on us," Neville said.

"We have come into the week very confident, but we still have a lot of work to do, and we are still building. In terms of the group, we are looking a lot healthier.

"The good thing that we have seen this week as well is that the players underneath the starting line-up that have played over the last two weeks have been fantastic, and they are pushing to start games, and will get games because we have a lot of matches coming up."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Antony

Having only scored six goals for the entire of last season, Antony has started the campaign with two goals in five appearances, and he will be keen to kick on this weekend. 

The Brazilian ended Portland's 3-0 win over Colorado having created two chances, a total only bettered by David Costa (four). 

Indeed, with strikes from Antony and Kevin Kelsy last time out, 54 of the Timbers' last 56 MLS goals (excluding own goals) have been scored by players from South America, with only American Eryk Williamson and Portuguese Costa also scoring since mid-April for Portland. 

Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu

Houston are in need of goals after stuttering in the final third so far this season, and they will be looking to last year's joint-top scorer Aliyu to find his shooting boots. 

He scored against Portland in a 1-0 win last campaign and has never lost against the Timbers in the three matches he has played against them (W2 D1). 

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Houston are unbeaten in four straight meetings with Portland (W3 D1), though the last meeting, in June 2024, ended in a 2-2 draw. The Timbers had won five of the previous seven meetings between the sides (D2) before the Dynamo's four-match unbeaten run.

But Houston are now winless through five matches of a season for the third time in club history (also 2008 and 2020). Their two points are their fewest at this stage of a campaign in club history.

Portland, meanwhile, picked up just their second win in 11 matches dating back to the end of last season (D5 L4, including the playoffs) last time out. The Timbers have not kept consecutive clean sheets in league play since a run of three in June 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 38.4%

Draw – 26.5%

Houston Dynamo – 35.1%