Scouting report: vs. Portland

When/where: 8:30 p.m. Monday; BBVA Compass Stadium. TV/radio: FS1; 650 AM; 1010 AM (Spanish). Records: 13-10-11, 50 points; Timbers 15-11-8, 53. Timbers update: They started fast and barely slowed down because of their ability to score goals in bunches. They were held to one goal or zero 15 times out of 34 games. They have needed to score a lot because they have not been good at stopping opponents from scoring. Only one of the 12 playoff teams conceded more goals than the Timbers. If any team can get it together in the playoffs, it is this one because of a large core that won the MLS Cup in 2015. Timbers player to watch: Portland has plenty of playmakers, but Diego Valeri makes the team go. His 21 goals and 11 assists are absurd statistics for a team that scored 60 goals. If the Dynamo allow him to turn and face the goal or get a running start in the attacking third, he will make them pay. Dynamo update: The best run of the season continues in the Western Conference semifinals. The biggest question will be how well some key players have recovered after playing 120 minutes on Thursday. The attacking players will be less affected with only Alberth Elis and Tomas Martinez playing the entire match. Three defenders also may have to play on four days of rest, but they have the confidence of being in top form after registering their third consecutive clean sheet. Dynamo player to watch: Defensive midfielder Juan David Cabezas will be tasked with slowing down Valeri, Portland’s potent central midfielder, who is on the short list of players who could win MLS MVP. Cabezas has starred in his role all season and could make the biggest difference of all if he has another strong performance on Monday night. Key statistic: Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas has scored four goals in two starts against Portland. He is likely to start on Monday because he is fresh after not playing at all in Thursday’s knockout round victory.