MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Handed Hard-Fought Loss by FC Dallas

Published on March 30, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


FRISCO, Texas - The Portland Timbers battled back from a halftime deficit to level the match in the second half, but an 84th-minute, game-winning goal from Mauro Diaz lifted FC Dallas to a 2-1 victory at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Both sides played a majority of the match with 10 players due to first-half red cards.

Even at 1-1 into the late stages of the match, the Timbers (0-2-2, 2pts) were in a position to become the first opponent this season to earn points at Toyota Stadium, but Diaz put away the decisive goal six minutes from time to help FC Dallas (3-0-1, 10pts) to a third straight win at home.

Portland sustained a second loss despite holding FC Dallas, the league's highest-scoring club in 2014, to their lowest shot total at home (9 shots) since March 2, 2013, and without a corner kick.

On the road, the Timbers controlled the game over the opening 30 minutes of the match, and the backline did not allow FC Dallas a shot opportunity until the 27th minute. Before the first half came to a close, referee Sorin Stoica issued straight red cards to Portland's Michael Harrington and FC Dallas' Je-Vaughn Watson near the 40th minute for a play off the ball, forcing the two clubs to finish out the match a player short.

FC Dallas struck first, finding the back of the net three minutes into first-half stoppage time. From the left side, defender Jair Benitez crossed the ball to the far side of the box. Fullback Kellyn Acosta bounced a headed pass back across the goal, and forward Blas Pérez headed in his second goal of the season from short range. It was the first goal allowed by the Timbers this season from the run of play.

Portland equalized in the 66th minute, a play that started with a well-placed ball through the midfield by Diego Valeri to Maximiliano Urruti running towards goal. Near the edge of the box, Urruti went to play the ball to Kalif Alhassan and the ball deflected off the leg of FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges, popped up into the air and fell in the back of the net.

The game-winning goal came from a broken play near the Timbers penalty area late in the game. The ball fell to Diaz just outside the box and he created just enough space to get off a shot, scoring his second goal in four games. With the win, FC Dallas ends a four-game winless stretch in the all-time MLS series against Portland.

The Timbers had the better of the chances at trying to secure all three points, out-shooting FC Dallas, 7-4, over the final 20 minutes of the contest. Second-half substitute Kalif Alhassan had two quality looks on goal, including one that just missed over the crossbar in the 77th minute. Defender Pa Modou Kah powered a header off a Valeri corner kick in the 82nd minute just over the mark as well.

After consecutive road games to end the month of March, the Timbers return home for their next match on Saturday, April 5, as they play host to Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park. Kickoff on NBC Sports Network is set for 12 noon (Pacific). The match will feature local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 30, 2014


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