The Portland Timbers were served an opportunity. Coming off their best win of the season, a 3-0 road win over Colorado last week, the Timbers returned to Providence Park with a very generous chance for three points against a Houston Dynamo team that came into Sunday winless on the season. And the Timbers made the most of it. Felipe Mora and Antony both scored goals, Portland allowed just one shot on net and the Timbers largely dominated Houston in a 3-1 win. It was Portland’s second consecutive win and third straight match achieving points — an effort that’s improved Portland’s position in the Western Conference standings into a tie for sixth place. And it was clear from the start that the Timbers (3-2-1, 10 points) were ready to seize their opportunity against Houston. Mora’s goal, his second of the year, ignited scoring in the sixth minute. And while Franco Escobar equalized things for Houston (0-4-2, 2 points) in the 12th, it was just 11 minutes later that Antony gave the Timbers the lead for good. Streaking down the right side of the pitch, the Brazilian winger executed a nifty give-and-go with Mora, which allowed Antony to fire off a low shot from the right side of the net to beat the Houston keeper. The goal was Antony’s third of the season. And after a flurry to an end to the first half that saw Antony get two more quality chances on net, he broke through again in the second half after beating the Houston keeper to the ball off a deflection in the 71st minute. Six matches into the season, Antony’s four goals already bring him within two of his 2024 total of six. Antony and the Timbers’ recent run of form couldn’t have come at a better time as the Timbers are set to play four of their next five matches on the road. Next up: The Timbers travel south to face Austin FC in Texas on Saturday. -- Tyson Alger For The Oregonian/OregonLive