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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 4-1 on the Road against FC Dallas

July 26, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


FRISCO, Texas - The Portland Timbers could not overcome an early first-half deficit in a 4-1 loss against Western Conference foe FC Dallas before 15,992 fans at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday night.

Despite Portland (9-8-5, 32pts) controlling portions of the opening half, FC Dallas took the lead off a counterattack in the 12th minute when midfielder Michael Barrios fired a right-footed effort inside the near right post. Barrios registered a brace, doubling the FC Dallas lead in the 22nd minute after corralling a loose ball at the top of the box and delivering a deflected strike that found its way over goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.

Midfielder Kellyn Acosta tallied a goal for FC Dallas (11-5-5, 38pts) in the 69th minute with a strong left-footed shot from just outside the box. The home side, which notched its fifth consecutive victory on Saturday, capped its scoring with a penalty kick converted by midfielder Mauro Diaz in the 87th minute. Midfielder Jack Jewsbury committed the foul, which appeared to happen outside the box, but the referee awarded the penalty kick to FC Dallas.

Forward Lucas Melano, who signed with the Timbers as a Designated Player on July 17, made his debut for the club, entering the match in the 64th minute. The forward used his speed to get behind the FC Dallas defense several times and put one shot on frame. In second-half stoppage time, Melano received a long pass from Kwarasey and outraced several FC Dallas defenders into the box, but his low drive while being tackled by defender Zach Loyd was saved by goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Moments later, Melano again got behind the defense and drew a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Forward Fanendo Adi converted the spot kick for the Timbers, registering his ninth goal of the season and tying his MLS single-season career high set in 2014.

Portland saw earlier chances in the second half from defenders Liam Ridgewell and Alvas Powell just miss the goal.

The Timbers finished the match with 10 shots, including three on goal, and remain in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Despite the road loss, Portland is just two points behind the LA Galaxy (34pts) for second place in the conference through 22 matches. Saturday's loss was just Portland's second in its last nine regular-season matches (4-2-3) against FC Dallas.

Portland remains on the road for its next match, squaring off against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Avaya Stadium in San Jose; kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday's match will feature a live national broadcast on ESPN2 and a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM.

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