The Houston Dynamo did the damage inside the opening half-hour as they beat the Portland Timbers 2-1 in their Major League Soccer clash on Sunday.

Houston went ahead through Adam Moffat after 17 minutes and added to their tally when Brian Ching scored 10 minutes later.

Portland pulled a goal back when Jack Jewsbury netted in the 56th minute but could not find a leveller.

Houston now stand fourth in the Eastern Conference, with Portland seventh in the Western Conference.